Mumbai, Feb 13 (IANS): Actor Rani Mukerji is in favour of making martial arts and other self-defense methods compulsory for school children to help them fight for themselves and also stay fit.

"Like we learn Hindi, Chemistry and other subjects, I think we should get karate, taekwondo or any other kind of martial arts and make it compulsory for school children right at the age of three or four," the 34-year-old star said here Tuesday at the Mumbai Police - Women Interface, a programme organised to increase self-awareness about safety among women.

Rani further spoke about the importance of fighting back a criminal.

"This self-defense that we learn from childhood will help us be fit and it would also impart a self-defence skill in times of crisis. Whatever we get to see on crime shows, tell us that criminals are cowards and if they do something to us, that means we are allowing them to do it. If we stand up and hit them, something can happen. Biggest weapon is to kick them between the legs," Rani said.

Actresses like Shabana Azmi, Karisma Kapoor, lyricist Javed Akhtar and adman Alyque Padamsee were also present at the event.