At IFFI, Guneet Monga highlighted the growing role of women in various aspects of filmmaking

Mona

Have will, shall change… The session ‘Women in Film - India Chapter: A New Vision’ at the 55th International Film Festival of India, Goa, had Oscar-winning director Guneet Monga Kapoor lead an enlightening discussion on gender parity in the film industry.

Guneet, who founded Sikhya Entertainment, the film production house with hits like Academy Award winning-film The Elephant Whisperer, Gangs of Wasseypur, The Lunchbox and Masaan, opened up on an honest note, “I have been a producer for the past 17-18 years and have many women working in my team. In my production company, we mindfully push women directors. Then there are these stats — less than five per cent of directors in India are women!”

Guneet came in touch with Women in Film (WIF) at Los Angeles, when she was there for The Elephant Whisperer. Established in 1973, this non-profit organisation advocates women working in the industry — both in front and behind the camera.

Guneet shared how she finally found an ally in WIF. “I was surprised to see them working for women directors, technicians, pushing them for the prestigious awards, whereas we struggle to get one article out.”

Once back home, she touched base with women in the industry and thus was born WIF India Chapter. Still in its infancy, it’s an ambitious step. “In India we don’t have the database, we don’t know how many of us are there – 50,000 or 500,000. We are working towards building a structure.”

Guneet Monga Kapoor, Tillotama Shome and Jyoti Deshpande were part of the 18th Edition Film Bazaar Knowledge Series 2024 for an enlightening panel discussion on Women in Film - India Chapter: A New Vision at the IFFI. They were joined in the discussion by Andria Wilson Mirza, director, International Programs WIF LA, and Aparna Purohit, CEO Aamir Khan Productions. The session was moderated by Suchin Mehrotra.

Meanwhile, actress Tillotama Shome backed Guneet, while taking the conversation forward, “Data makes the invisible visible. Intention is important and I am excited about the possibilities that WIF India can lead to.”

Jyoti Deshpande, with her 30 years plus work experience, shared how when she began people couldn’t believe that a woman was at the helm of affairs, but things have changed. “As much as 60 per cent of our workforce comprises women and 60 per cent of leadership posts are with women. I have actively gone out and sought out meritorious women, not because they are women but because they are amazingly good at what they do,” shared Jyoti, President, Media and Entertainment. Reliance Industries Limited. She mentioned how men were equally part of this narrative. “I think it can be very daunting for men to be excluded from the conversation. It sounds like some sort of an activism. It’s not activism. It’s inclusion,” added Jyoyi.

She was proud of the work her studio had put out this year, including Laapata Ladies — a movie by the very talented Kiran Rao, which is currently doing its Oscar run.

On the other hand, Stree 2 is also a woman’s story, “It’s headlined by a woman actor, which went on to become the highest grossing film of the year. In fact, the highest grossing film of all time, beating all the Khans! So, I think it’s very important to talk about movies like Stree 2 because there is this preconceived notion that if you make a movie with a heroine, it won’t do business.”

However, she admitted that equal pay was still a distant dream. “But have we set out on a very positive journey? I think yes.”