The New Commercial Mainstream
Not long ago, a 'woman-centric' film was often code for a small-budget, issue-based drama. While many of those films were excellent, they were rarely expected to be major commercial powerhouses. That perception is now being challenged at the box office.
The success of 'Crew' (2024), a slick heist comedy starring Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Kriti Sanon, is a prime example. The film grossed over ₹110 crore globally, proving that a film fronted by three women could be a major commercial event. This follows the path forged by films like Alia Bhatt's 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' (2022), a biographical crime drama that became one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of its year. These successes send a clear message to the industry: audiences will show up for female protagonists, not just in niche stories but in fun, mainstream entertainers.
The Persistent Question of Age
While younger stars like Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon are headlining major projects, the most persistent and complex issue is ageism. For decades, a Bollywood actress’s career trajectory was notoriously short, with lead roles becoming scarce after she hit her thirties. Actresses like Shefali Shah and Manisha Koirala have spoken about how women in the industry face a 'shelf life' while their male co-stars continue to play romantic leads well into their 50s. There have been glaring instances of actresses being cast as mothers to actors older than them in real life. However, there are signs of a positive shift. The casting of Tabu (in her 50s) and Kareena Kapoor Khan (in her 40s) as leading ladies in 'Crew' is significant. Actresses like the late Sridevi and, more recently, Rani Mukerji with her 'Mardaani' franchise, have demonstrated that veteran actresses can still command the box office. The conversation is changing, but the deep-rooted industry practice of sidelining older actresses remains a formidable hurdle.
Breaking Through the Genre Ceiling
What kinds of stories are being told with women at the helm? Historically, female-led films were often confined to biopics, family dramas, or social-issue narratives. These are important genres, but for true parity, women must lead stories across the spectrum, including big-budget action, thrillers, and fantasy epics. We are seeing progress here. 'Crew' was a heist comedy, a genre typically dominated by male ensembles. 'Mardaani 2' saw Rani Mukerji leading a gritty crime thriller. However, a significant gap remains. Actor Kriti Sanon and others have pointed out that films led by women are rarely scaled to the same budget as those led by men. Producers often hesitate to invest heavily in female-fronted action or VFX-heavy films, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy where smaller budgets lead to smaller returns, which is then used to justify the initial low investment.
The Independent Spirit and Quiet Revolutions
Alongside the commercial blockbusters, a different kind of revolution is taking place. Films like Kiran Rao's 'Laapataa Ladies' (2024) have found immense success through authentic, heartfelt storytelling. 'Laapataa Ladies', set in rural India in 2001, explores themes of identity, agency, and female solidarity with wit and warmth. Its success, both in India and internationally, proves that audiences are hungry for authentic narratives that challenge patriarchal norms without needing a blockbuster budget. These films demonstrate that empowerment isn't always about grand gestures; it can be found in the quiet, personal choices women make every day. They provide a crucial counter-narrative, showing that a compelling story and well-drawn female characters can be a powerful draw on their own terms.
