By Actress Richa Chadha recently delivered an impactful speech at a program, shedding light on the evolving gender dynamics in the film industry. She emphasized the need for structural changes and drew parallels with the West, where mandates ensure female representation in creative roles. Chadha gauged progress by assessing the increase in the number of women in the industry over the years.
Regarding the economic aspect, she echoed industry stalwart Ekta Kapoor’s sentiments at FICCI Frames 2024, stating that for change to happen, content needs to make money, and the system will recognize the potential of a new market. She highlighted the importance of both women and men contributing to the success of content, using the example of the Barbie movie.
Chadha discussed challenges in the film business, particularly the intricacies of marketing, where a substantial budget is often required for successful promotion. She compared it to a dog catching its tail, emphasizing the importance of effective marketing.
Addressing the initiative for women in films, Chadha recognized evolving roles, with more women taking on various positions behind the scenes. Actresses are becoming producers to bring about change. She stressed that commerce has to make sense for decisions to be successful.
In conclusion, Richa Chadha called for equal on-set representation, advocating for a 50-50% male-female presence on sets to foster a more inclusive and balanced industry.
