Being an Action Hero means the tiniest things for me. It could be something as elementary as questioning our manifold problematic idioms surrounding gender and gender based violence. For example, right at the beginning, Blank Noise questioned why we use the words “eve teasing” for sexual harassment. Why use a jocular, euphemistic phrase for something that shouldn’t be treated in jest at all? Equally, contesting and reshaping practices and beliefs and attitudes existing in our homes, families, neighbourhoods, the places we spend time in – because everything around us systematises the highly rigid structuring of gender roles that instigates sexual violence – are ‘Action Hero’ worthy acts for me.

"To walk at the edge where fear begins. The place is unknown to me. To help bring in a new normal by doing this simultaneously with others, drawing upon the collective strength"

The walk was mind changing, when we were asked to walk like queens, with utter confidence, through a busy locality.  It made me feel that I owned the street I walked on. I am still nervous at times, but much less than I used to be.  

~Action Hero Dipali 

"Being an Action Hero to me is about questioning status quos, having uncomfortable conversations to encourage new perspectives in ourselves and in others. It means taking responsibility for the world we are in and for effecting change if we don't like it. It means doing what we can to be who we are. "

I realised that there were many incidents that I had internalised not calling it out for what they were. I had belittled my own experiences, and becoming aware of that really opened my eyes.

I want to be able to walk - slowly, calmly, deliberately, alone.

~Action Hero Tharunya Balan (2007)