For Zinta, who has been portrayed as a woman of free will in many of her Bollywood films, being resilient in everyday life is important but not at the risk of losing her feminine identity.

"I don't think it is very womanly to be so tough that you start competing with the man and start behaving like a man," the actress said at an event marking International Women's Day in New Delhi on Saturday.

"I like to be strong, I like to be tough but I would never like to be a man."

Zinta said March 8 is a day when the woman becomes the focus worldwide.

"I am not really the burning bra kind of a feminist chick but I do strongly believe I do have the strength within me to stand behind what I believe in."

In most parts of India, sons are viewed as breadwinners who will look after their parents and carry on the family name, but daughters are viewed as financial liabilities for whom they will have to pay substantial dowries to get married off.

Zinta said a woman needs to work harder than a man to prove her worth and can be truly empowered only if she believed in herself.