In an exclusive conversation with The Pioneer, actress Regina Cassandra, who has recently become the face of Hyderabad’s Democratic Sangha, speaks of her belief in the cause.
SHIKHA DUGGAL
Regina Cassandra is leading by example now; she has become the role model of the commoners. By becoming the face of Hyderabad’s Democratic Sangha: she wanted to come forward to lend a helping hand to its founder for their social cause! With her association, all of them feel that people, especially her fans, will now believe in doing more good.
To know about her working for the cause, amid her busy filming schedules and biding her time for a really long time, we got a hold of the actress. She contributes, “I believe that by using the platform, I will be able to reach out to a whole new group of people, particularly women. The engagement’s most promising aspect is that its foundational work is being carried out in rural Hyderabad, where women’s role and contribution in building communities are most undervalued. We hope to develop women leaders in the remotest areas where women’s agency is most threatened through a one-year training and advocacy programme.”
She strongly feels she might have some power to influence, but there are times when women in rural India are conditioned to be sceptical. Thus, building a trusting relationship with them can be an important step for her.
She committed, “Most of these women are capable of being advocates for their own rights, they simply do not get access to the right opportunities, and hence, we provide them a platform to not only groom their leadership skills but also encourage them to take the lead and claim what is rightfully theirs. Moreover, since a woman is the one who keeps a family together, and nurtures every member, she can play a decisive role in bringing about a positive change after understanding the significance of empowerment.”
Asked about the change that she’s wishing for, she said, “Gender equality is unquestionably at the top of my list of desired changes. Access to a safe and healthy environment, as well as living in a world where one does not have to make compromises in order to be accepted and respected, are vital to achieving social justice. Inclusive spaces where women can thrive and shine play a pivotal role in the progress of society, and it is important we look at women beyond the confines of a homemaker and carer. On the other hand, viewing change solely through the lens of gender can be limiting, as other forms of inequity across class, caste, disability, and other social identities continue to jeopardise our society’s progress by limiting access to education and healthcare. Another change I want to see around me is social transformation, in which there is no social deprivation and everyone has equal opportunities to develop personally and express themselves fully.”
Most of this necessitates a fundamental change in our attitudes and social perceptions, which have been largely ingrained in us since childhood due to various socio-cultural stereotypes and norms.
Therefore, a change of heart and instilling the virtues of compassion and integrity in people are the most crucial changes of all for Regina! Moreover, “Without a doubt, the position I hold carries a great deal of responsibility. We will only seek to expand the platform from here on out, and many will naturally entrust us with their hopes. In addition to being scrutinised by individuals and communities, everything I say and do on the Democratic Sangha’s platform has the potential to have a significant impact on the lives of many people. As a result, it will be extremely imperative for me to take every action after much deliberation and thought and ensure that I have the courage to bear the responsibility to bring about a change for a better society.”
What is required here is a collaborative effort in order for Regina to pool her knowledge and resources. It will be a long journey to challenge injustice and promote positive change, from raising awareness to advocating for education for the actress. Ultimately, this road requires a commitment to constant learning, introspection, and adaptation. And, “For me, the realisation cannot be attributed to a single moment. It was a gradual process where multiple factors like personal experience and social interaction played a role in shaping my sense of responsibility. However, my mother’s role in shaping who I am is undeniable. She was the one who instilled in me the quality of service through sustained dialogues. She was also the biggest example of selfless kindness for me while growing up. My personal experiences of injustice and witnessing the struggles faced by the marginalised groups around me have always been unsettling for me.
It was hard to turn a blind eye to these forms of inequalities, especially when our textbooks were full of our history of fighting for an egalitarian society where social justice prevailed. I was fortunate enough to have a good family background, but slowly, upon learning about the systemic injustices that deprived several communities of basic opportunities, I realised my own social responsibility towards working to make this society a better place. Moreover, as I grew older, I had the opportunity to engage with like-minded people who acted as catalysts in awakening my sense of duty and furthering my resolve to do what I am doing today.”
Further in the conversation, she revealed, “Acting is my passion, and social activism is my moral responsibility now. Balancing between the two has always been an integral part of my life, and this is what I will be doing now too. Both roles are dear to me and my identity, and the level of priority. As a matter of fact, I feel both roles complement each other. As a social activist, my priority would be standing up for the right on the sight of injustice and making a meaningful contribution for the betterment.
Thus, compassion and kindness are fundamental to my life as an altruist. As an actress, my priority is to master the art of creative expression and use films as a medium to evoke the right emotions in people through roles that can challenge social stereotypes and spark meaningful conversations. My artistic expression is my tool that allows me to assert myself and, at the same time, explore diversity while bringing a character to life. While I do not have much control over choosing characters, I try to be mindful of their impact on people.”
To her, philanthropist is a fancy word, and her acts of altruism are aimed at being more inclusive and accessible, where she can continuously contribute towards bringing about a positive and meaningful change in society with all the resources at her disposal. “The most valuable contributions you can make to a cause in the fast-paced world of today are your time and skills. In this sense, volunteering is an invaluable form of philanthropy.
It is motivated by genuine compassion, the desire to give without expecting anything in return, and the willingness to unlearn bias and adapt in light of what you learn during the process. It does not have to be something large-scale to be meaningful, as even making a small difference can sometimes cause a ripple effect. Although philanthropy can take many forms, it’s the intention, the action, and the larger impact that truly matter.”
Working with Chaitanya, who is the founder and is genuinely determined to change the world, has given Regina a completely new perspective. “I have begun to view things from various angles, which has fundamentally changed how I approach the cause. What I have learned from him is that consistency and resilience are two important qualities to have when committing to something.
It’s not like we do not face setbacks in our endeavours, but what makes us overcome the challenges is his leadership, which motivates us to stand up, analyse, adapt, and form a new strategy according to the circumstances. His perseverance is admirable, and his tireless efforts are what allow us to deepen our understanding of the issues and sustain momentum in our pursuit of social justice. Now I understand the true meaning of continuous growth and learning and its role in ensuring positive change.”
