Women's Day: Celebs talk about their role models

MUMBAI: Women have been the epitome of love,  compassion, strength, courage, bravery, selflessness, sacrifices and what not; it’s time to celebrate and acknowledge them.

On International Women’s Day, we asked actors to name women they most admire, look up to, revere and aim to be more like.

Here’s what they have to say:

Somy Ali:
Salute to those who stand against any kind of abuse

For me, any woman who has fought against injustices not just for herself, but others is a hero. We have always been taught to conform to cultural norms and sweep everything under the rug. I salute all who have taken the road less traveled and stood up against any kind of abuse.

As a survivor, no one is a bigger celebrity for me than a woman in a village fighting against child marriage or a child’s right to go to school.

Rajit Dev:
Mother: She is my God

I’m in this world because of a woman. So my mother is my god for me. I’m really thankful to my mother whose constant strength and resilience have helped me to shape into the man I am today, respect other women and treat them equally.

Nitin Kumar Gupta:
Director Kathryn Bigelow: Only woman director to have won an Oscar

As a filmmaker, one woman who inspired me is director Kathryn Bigelow whose film 'The Hurt Locker' beat 'Avatar', for best film and best director Oscar awards in 2010. She is the only female director to win the best director Oscar. Interestingly, the man she beat, James Cameron, was her ex-husband.

Avinash Mukherjee:
Madhubala: She is an inspiration for everyone to follow passion

My all-time crush, the only heroine I have always been in awe of and in love with, full of grace and fantastic body of work. She is an inspiration for all girls to pursue passion.

Farnaz Shetty:
Mother Teresa: Her selflessness 

It’s highly unbelievable to give our life in the service of mankind with nothing expected in return. There is another woman, Utkarsha Naik ji, who does so much for animals every day and wants to bring a change in the society. I look up to them and I hope I develop such stronger integrity towards life.

Prashant Bajaj:
Mother: She is an angel and 
Lawyer Seema Kushwaha, legal counsel of victim in 2012 Delhi gang rape case: She kept fighting till justice was delivered

I admire each woman but the one I admire more is my Mom. She has sacrificed a lot to keep me happy. She is an angel. Among public figures, I admire lawyer Seema Kushwaha, she fought the Nirbhaya case. Even though people lost hope but she fought and fought till justice was delivered.

Nivedita Basu:
Grandmother and Mother Teresa: Inspired by their work for society  

My inspiration is my mother, my grandparents. If you ask for a public figure Mother Teresa. The kind of work Mother Teresa did back in the day in Calcutta is what my grandmother replicated in Vrindavan.

Chandni Soni:
Mother and mother-in-law: For encouraging me to chase my dreams

My mother and my mother-in-law Kanta Soni both have been strong independent women. When I got married my mother-in-law, who incidentally was my teacher in school, told me to chase my dreams and retain my individuality. She encouraged me to balance between my personal and professional life. She would remind me of Indira Gandhi, who made a mark in the man’s world.

Delnaaz Irani:
Mother:  She is a very strong woman

Everyday should be celebrated as Women's Day.

There are so many women who were really strong, Mother Teresa, Jhansi Ki Raani, Sarojini Naidu even the actresses. I salute all these women who are achievers.

If I have to pick one particular person I will pick my mother, I look up to her. She is very strong. She has instilled discipline, positivity, striving attitude and pushed us achieve our dreams. She is active even at the age of 78. I salute my mother.

This year is going to be special because I have started my YouTube channel and my show “Real Women Big Stories”, I am super excited because my show is all around real women achievers, their struggles. 

Micckie Dudaaney:
Mother and wife: Pillar of support

I would like to thank my mom and my wife, who have given me courage and strength.

My mom does everything selflessly she’ll do anything to ease me out, to get me out of a problem. My wife gives me strength, supports me in all my decisions.