Shaping Women's Representation in Indian Cinema: A Call for Change

In India, the media's portrayal of women significantly influences societal norms. Despite India being the world's largest film producer, women face challenges in the entertainment sector. A workshop by Primus Partners discussed the need for authentic representation of women and addressed gender disparities in the film industry.

In a country where the film industry is both a major entertainment source and cultural force, the portrayal of women onscreen plays a critical role in shaping societal values. Despite India's standing as the world's largest film producer, women in the media sector face considerable challenges.

Research reveals that only 17% of department heads in the Hindi film industry are women. In both films and OTT productions, there are six male characters for every female character, and just one in ten directors is female. Women are three times more likely than men to appear in nudity scenes.

The workshop organized by Primus Partners included industry leaders and government representatives discussing the need for gender sensitization programs and diverse storytelling. The roundtable emphasized the importance of responsible storytelling to combat stereotypes and objectification, aiming for authentic representation of women in all media platforms.

(With inputs from agencies.)