Twinkle Khanna: Why I Kept My Surname

Indian author and columnist Twinkle Khanna has opened up about her decision to retain her surname after marrying actor Akshay Kumar over two decades ago. She revealed that neither she nor her sister felt compelled to change their names, a stance that was once questioned by a relative who humorously referred to them as 'mad sisters'.

Khanna explained that her upbringing fostered a sense of equality, leading her to believe women were equal or even superior, thus she never considered changing her surname. She noted that many women in India do not have the same privilege and often face pressure to adopt their husband's name due to patriarchal norms.

Upon entering the entertainment industry, Khanna encountered overt gender bias, such as facing termination for being late while male actors were not reprimanded. She initially dismissed these incidents as a consequence of seniority or fame, only later realizing they were rooted in gender inequality.