The past few weeks have been hectic for Renuka Shahane. The actress has been channel ling her “inner activist“ which she maintains “has always been a part of her“ to voice her opinions on the social media about many issues. Last month, the 49-year-old actress tweeted against Salman Khan's infamous rape comment, saying, “There is no consent in rape. There is consent in acting and actors are also paid for it. A rape victim has to pay forever! Be human please!“.

On Friday, she expressed solidarity and even offered her home to political activist Irom Sharmila. Renuka is quick to add that she doesn't consider herself politically informed but is deeply saddened by the treatment meted out to Sharmila. “I have always admired her, my mother (Shanta Gokhale) has even written a play about her struggles, The Fair One. Though I have never met Sharmila, I have always admired her courage and determination,“ asserts Renuka who is still remembered as Salman Khan's bhabhi in Hum Aapke Hain Koun.

For the actress it will be an honour to host Sharmila who has been waging a war against the state all by herself. “It's been almost 16 years, she must have realised that her fast was not working. It's not that she has given up, she wants to contest the elections and continue her fight against AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) in a different manner,“ Renuka reasons, ruing the fact that Sharmila had to return to the same hospital.

She adds, “I'm sure people have strong opinions but it's sad that she is now being branded a traitor. They were supporting her when she had a tube up her nose and now have disowned her. Why? It's because of her that I know of the AFSPA.“

The actress's decision has put her at the receiving end of many brickbats. Some have even commented on her “late arrival“ on the activism scene. She is unfazed by the scepticism. “Why can't we agree to disagree?“ argues Renuka who is also busy scripting two films. One is a feminist, anti-patriarchal film titled Tribhang. “I have just finished the screenplay. It's a English Marathi bi-lingual. The other is a Marathi black comedy, a comedy of errors revolving around cops.“