While the Indian film industry has generally revolved around male-dominated themes, and the men have acquired the most part of the spotlight, it looks like times are changing, and many female actors are now leading the way with the victory torch for the industry.
Deepika Padukone just marked a career milestone when she became the highest paid actress in Bollywood, after signing Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati for a whopping 12.65 crores. Deepika’s career has been on a steady rise, with big hits like Ram-Leela, Piku and Bajirao Mastani, and she is soon making her Hollywood debut with the much anticipated XXX: Xander Cage.
Alia Bhatt, who has garnered much admiration for some standout roles, such as, as Highway’s Veera and Udta Punjab’s Kumari Pinky, also agrees that this is a good time to be an actress in Bollywood.
“It is such a lovely time to be part of films that give so much importance to characters. It is no longer only about the love story between a hero and a heroine. For instance, no one would have imagined me working with Shah Rukh in Gauri Shinde’s film. But obviously, there’s a story that has brought us together,” she says.
Many women-centred trends are following up, and females are taking the lead in films with ample box-office returns.
One of this year’s early hits- Neerja, which stars Sonam Kapoor is a good example. Alia Bhatt is also due to appear in a central role in Dear Zindagi, which also has Shah Rukh Khan in the cast. Sonakshi Sinha is also playing the badass lead heroine in soon to be coming up film- Akira. Kangana Ranaut, who has previously done the immensely acclaimed Queen as a lead, will also be seen in some more female-centred roles in films like Simran and Rani Lakshmibai.
While we are talking about one woman leading a film, Neerja actress Sonam Kapoor believes that there should more films with a multi-female cast in the lead. And why not? The more the better, right?
“If we can have films such as Andaz Apna Apna (1994), Karan Arjun (1995), Dil Chahta Hai (2001) and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), then why can’t we have a film like Veere Di Wedding? Such films comment on the direction our industry is headed in,” she states quite rightfully.
According to film experts, it was dynamic female-oriented films, such as The Dirty Picture (2011) and Kahaani (2012), that actually brought in this much awaited trend in Bollywood. This was followed up by more successful treats, with films like Queen, Piku, Highway, and the more recent Angry Indian Goddesses, with an all-female cast, which received plenty critical thumbs-ups.
Experts believe that the change that started with gained momentum last year with films such as Queen, Piku and Tanu Weds Manu Returns. In fact, last year also saw
Film trade analyst, Taran Adarsh says, “Things are changing fast. All kinds of orthodox opinions have become outdated. No one thinks, ‘This film is about a woman, so, let’s not watch it.’ If it is a good film, it will work. We have examples such as Queen, Piku and even Kahaani in front of us.”
Director Sabbir Khan also says, “Women, today, are breaking every stereotype created by men in every field. So, why just discuss the movies they are doing? The acceptance of women as equals or superiors has been long overdue.”