A question for my Muslim brothers and sisters

Assalamu alaikum, my dear brothers and sisters. I'm from India, a country with a Hindu majority. Because of the British divide-and-rule policy, there's a lot of hatred between communities, especially between Hindus and Muslims. Much of it comes from extremist attacks from our neighbor Pakistan on Mumbai, where I'm from. I like to think I'm open-minded, even though I come from a Hindu background. I don't strictly practice either religion, but I strongly dislike the stereotypes and old sayings against Muslims that have been in my family for generations. The hate is often directed at Muslims rather than Islam itself. Some people I know criticize Islam because they think it's unfair to women. As an Indian, I hate stereotypes-they're degrading and don't represent the whole community, just exaggerated minorities among billions. I try to make up my own mind and often defend Islam when I hear prejudice. But since I'm not Muslim, I don't want to speak over you or pretend I know everything about your experiences. I want to be a better ally when I see misinformation or generalizations. I also believe it's okay to respectfully critique any religion or culture. So my question is: what practical steps can I take when I hear anti-Muslim talk in everyday chats? How can I challenge stereotypes without making things worse or sounding preachy? Are there approaches you've seen that actually change minds? I'd really appreciate your thoughts. I've heard such bigotry even from close friends, and I struggle to address it without causing offense-to them, or to Islam, or to those who misunderstand it. Are there common myths about Islam I can firmly say are false? And are there some that unfortunately hold truth? JazakAllah khair for your guidance.