Bollywood's Double Standard for Female-Led Films?

Actress Saiyami Kher has highlighted a perceived double standard in Bollywood, where female-led films are often held to a more rigorous box-office performance than their male counterparts. She observed that while male-starrer films may receive several chances to succeed, a single underperforming women-centric project can lead to immediate questioning of its viability.

Kher pointed to the film 'Alpha,' featuring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari, as an example of a high-stakes project with female leads. However, she contends that the industry's expectations mean women must consistently prove themselves, with setbacks potentially causing a significant regression in progress.

Despite these concerns, Kher expressed optimism about the gradual evolution of the industry. She noted an encouraging increase in women working as directors, writers, and technicians, not solely as actors. This growing presence across various filmmaking departments signals a positive shift.

Adding to these sentiments, Kher's 'Haiwaan' co-star Shriya Pilgaonkar remarked on another disparity: career breaks for actors. Pilgaonkar stated that male actors can take extended sabbaticals and still return to leading roles, while women often have to restart their careers from scratch after a break.

Both actresses believe that a significant commercial success for a female-led film could catalyze a change in industry perceptions, inspiring more investment in stories centered on women. Their upcoming film, 'Haiwaan,' directed by Priyadarshan, is slated for release on September 11.