'Respect Bro': Agastya Nanda's Opinion on Chivalry Vs Masculinity Gets a Thumbs Up on the Internet

In today’s world, there’s a powerful shift happening. For a long time, society debated whether women needed a provider to look after them. But now, women are confidently standing up, showing they can take care of themselves and shatter the old-fashioned ways they were once treated. Amidst this evolving landscape, actor Agastya Nanda (Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson) has added a fresh perspective to the conversation, distinguishing between chivalry and masculinity. His insights have struck a chord, earning widespread applause and admiration on the internet.

On an episode of his sister Navya Naveli Nanda’s podcast, ‘What the Hell Agastya!’, Agastya joined with their mother Shweta Bachchan, and grandmother Jaya Bachchan to discuss masculinity. Navya mentioned that her brother is unusually sensitive, even more so than her, and he isn’t afraid to cry. She brought up the topic of ‘toxic masculinity,’ which has been a hot topic lately due to societal and cinematic trends.

To this, Agastya emphasised that the ‘intent’ behind any action is crucial. For example, if a man holds a door open for a woman out of kindness, it’s fine. But if he does it out of a sense of superiority, it becomes problematic.\

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Navya then pointed out: “Especially after feminism, and women feeling more empowered now, a lot of things they want to do independently. For example, today, if you take a girl out on a date, and you offer to pay, some people get offended by that. Because women feel that they are equal.” To this, Agastya said, “There’s a difference between being chivalrous and toxic.”

Further, she asked if he ever encountered a situation where his chivalrous act was rejected by a woman who preferred to do it herself. Agastya replied that as long as the action is done politely and not to assert dominance, it can’t be wrong. “If you say, ‘I would love to pay for this meal’, it’s seen as kindness, not because you think you’re ‘the provider’. It’s all about the intent,” he added.

While the podcast aired on YouTube in February, this particular segment has recently gone viral. Social media users are applauding Agastya’s views. Comments like “Bro understands women,” “Absolutely correct Agastya. His maturity speaks volumes,” and “This is a green flag,” are just a few examples of the positive feedback he has received.