Men are very happy to be regarded as sex symbols, believes Milind Soman

Milind Soman, the name that spells model and fitness, always lives up to his sex symbol tag with aplomb, and says the definition doesn't bother him. He had made many heads turn in his earlier modelling days; he manages to do the same even now.

"The tag of sex symbol doesn't bother me. I will tell you why -- because, for a man to be regarded as a sex symbol is great. Men are very happy to be regarded as sex symbols because that is something extra for them," Milind says.

However, he acknowledges the gender disparity in this context. "When a woman is regarded as a sex symbol, it might be everything that she is seen for, which is not a good thing," he observed.

The actor explained: "That is part of the whole discrimination on the part of the way we see women. Women have been objectified to that extent. Men have not been objectified to that extent that it (being a sex symbol) is all that they stand for."

The actor feels things are changing for the better.

"I think it is going away. I see it becoming a little bit more equal. The whole thing can't change at once but different aspects, especially gender equality, will change quicker than other aspects," he added.

When asked about is one of the controversial pictures on Goa beach that went viral, he said, Nothing surprises me.”

"Okay, on social media, nothing surprises me. I've been here for more than 30 years. People's opinions are important. But what they tell you is how our society is growing, how our values are changing and how our culture is evolving. It doesn't mean that something is good or bad, or that's not what it tells me. I can decide what is good or bad, but what it (the reactions) tells me is about society. (Now), more people are getting more exposed, and more people are able to express their ideas. That is interesting -- what ideas they come up with and how they change over time," he added.

Milind at the moment is seen in the role of a eunuch in new web series "Paurashpur". The series traces the story of a medieval city that is fraught with crime, corruption, abuse of power, misogyny, rape and love. It is set against the backdrop of 18th century India.

"Paurashpur", directed by Sachindra Vats, also features Shilpa Shinde, Kashish Rai, Annu Kapoor, Shaheer Sheikh, Flora Saini, Anant Joshi, Asmita Bakshi, Harshita Kasyap and Sahil Salathia along with Milind. The show is premiered on ALTBalaji and Zee5.