Kriti hopes big-budget films with female leads will become the norm
KRITI SANON,
Kriti Sanon does feel that “better roles and films” are being written for women today, but isn’t that sure when it comes to “better budgets”. The actor states that people in the industry are still hesitant to take risks on projects being driven by female protagonists. However, she says, “There were strong female characters that were written for women earlier as well — be it Mother India (1957) or ChaalBaaz (1989). So, that was always there. But today, the number has increased.”
The 31-year-old, who hopes things will change for the better soon, continues, “Now, women (actors) have also become very hungry for substantial parts. That’s added to the supply. Also, now, people want good content; it doesn’t matter whether it’s [led by] a man or a woman, a star.”
The actor, who made her Hindi debut eight years ago with Heropanti (2014), feels that the scope for improvement is large. “I hope that people start making these films at a much larger scale, like how we make a male-centric film with the same conviction,” she says.
Sanon picks actor Alia Bhatt’s hit Gangubai Kathiawadi to explain her point. “It is probably the first film around a female protagonist at that scale. That’s how it should be. Sometimes, we end up making films around female protagonists at a smaller budget because we feel that it’s not going to do as much business. It also doesn’t end up doing as much business because it is made on a smaller scale,” she says, adding, “That conviction and risk is something that I want to see. I hope it becomes a norm.”
When female-centric films turn larger-thanlife, it will open doors of success at the box office too, feels the Mimi (2021) actor. “I feel it is the truth. In fact, the gender disparity, whatever we see around us, will also start fading slowly,” Sanon concludes on a hopeful note.
Sometimes, we end up making films around female protagonists at a smaller budget, because we feel that it’s not going to do as much business. Actor