Mumbai: Actress Saba Azad has spoken out against the concept of the "alpha male”, describing it as a patriarchal construct designed to sustain outdated gender ideologies.

In a recent interview with IANS, the Songs of Paradise actress admitted she finds the entire notion baffling, noting that she is fortunate to be surrounded by exemplary men in both her personal and professional life who do not fit that mold.

When questioned about whether society still views emotional vulnerability as a sign of weak masculinity, and what her personal take was on the "alpha male" label, Saba was definitive in her response.

"I honestly do not understand the concept of alpha male. I think it is a term created by patriarchy to keep patriarchal ideas alive. I do not subscribe to it at all," she stated.

Elaborating further on her perspective, she added, "I have many wonderful men in my family and among my friends, but I still do not understand what 'alpha' is supposed to mean."

On pressure of success and Season 2 expectations

Beyond societal labels, Saba also opened up about her professional journey. She is currently preparing to return to the screen as Dr Vidhushi Kothari for the highly anticipated second season of the hit web series ‘Who's Your Gynac?’

Addressing whether a hit debut season places a heavier burden of responsibility on an actor's shoulders for the sequel, Saba emphasised the collaborative nature of filmmaking, placing major weight on the creative team behind the scenes.

"I think everyone carries equal responsibility because what we do is only one small part of a much larger project. The writers, especially, carry a huge responsibility because they have to move the story forward while maintaining consistency," she explained.

However, she acknowledged that meeting the audience's evolving expectations is a unique challenge for the cast when a project resonates deeply with the public.

"When a show becomes successful, and audiences connect deeply with it, expectations naturally grow. People want to experience the same joy and emotional connection again, perhaps even more strongly," Saba said. "For actors, the responsibility lies in maintaining consistency and bringing out the same quirks, flaws, and honesty in the characters that audiences loved in the first season."

IANS