On Women’s Day, actor-producer Anushka Sharma discusses how she has tried to change female portrayal on screen by telling stories from feminist gaze
Anushka Sharma
In her 13-year career so far, Anushka Sharma has showcased different shades of women — from the ambitious wedding planner in Band Baaja Baaraat (2010) to the spirited Aarfa in Sultan (2016) and the self-reliant Mamta in Sui Dhaaga (2018). Though the characters resided in different universes, a common thread tied them — each had a strong head on her shoulders and the agency to take life decisions. Sharma stepped up her efforts to change the depiction of women in Indian cinema as she launched her production house in 2015 and backed female-led stories.
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Bulbbul challenged age-old patriarchy
As she puts her weight behind another powerful story Mai, the actor-producer says she knew early on in her career that she didn’t want to be boxed as the leading man’s arm candy. “I have been conscious enough to select roles that I felt could contribute towards changing the portrayal of women on screen. I was done seeing myself as an accessory. I vowed that as a producer, I will not allow women to be depicted regressively,” she says. Sharma admits it wasn’t easy to swim against the tide. “It took a lot of self-belief, but it was liberating to do this for myself.”
A still from Mai
Her productions are proof that she walked the talk. If NH10 (2015) told the story of a woman raising her voice against honour killing, Bulbbul (2020) depicted the folklore of a blood-thirsty witch from a feminist gaze. Her upcoming offering Mai, headlined by Sakshi Tanwar, revolves around a mother who accidentally gets sucked into the world of violence and power. Sharma says that with each project, she aims to challenge society’s patriarchal ways. “Movies have the power to impact change and help people determine what is right and wrong. By being clear about how we will depict women in cinema, we can alter the mindset of people, and shatter age-old beliefs and customs. My film choices and productions are a testimony to the fact that I’m committed to sparking a conversation in society about equality, self-respect and empowerment.”
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