The disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat from the Paris Olympics 2024 finals, due to being just 100 grams overweight, left many Indians disheartened. Among them was actor Nakuul Mehta, who honoured Phogat with a heartfelt poem shared on Instagram. In his reflections, Mehta connects Phogat’s struggle to the recent tragic incident in Kolkata, where a medical trainee was raped and murdered. He believes this incident is a stark reminder of the systemic issues Phogat has fought against.

Mehta explains, “We're aware of the fight Vinesh had to put through.” Referring to the wrestlers’ protest of 2023 against sexual harassment, he laments, “The wrestlers’ protest was happening in front of everyone in Delhi, yet no one batted an eyelid. We didn’t stand up for that. It takes something so gruesome for us to wake up, when it’s too late. ”

Returning to the Kolkata tragedy, Mehta remarks, “Independence Day felt muted for me this year... It takes something as horrific as this to prompt action. I hope it doesn’t stop at one protest, one Instagram post of five stories. It needs continued support... As men, we should learn from this and be better. It’s time to make a safer space for women around us.”