In an exclusive and engaging panel discussion at ‘The Hollywood Reporter India’s - Women in Entertainment: Power List 2025’, held on March 21st at the Grand Hyatt in Mumbai, renowned personalities from the industry came together to share their insights. At the event, Hook had the exclusive opportunity to meet with some stellar women, including Tejasswi Prakash, Aditi Rao Hydari, Tillotama Shome and many more.
The event was also graced by celebrated figures like Kiran Rao, Aditi Rao Hydari, Janhvi Kapoor and Guneet Monga, with author and journalist Anupama Chopra moderating the discussion. The conversations highlighted the importance of authenticity and audience connection in the entertainment industry. Panelists reflected on their careers, discussing the delicate balance between commercial cinema and meaningful content that resonates with a broader audience. The discussion shed light on the challenges women face in a male-dominated industry, emphasizing the need for resilience and composure in the face of criticism.
At the event, Hook had an exclusive chat with actor Tillotama Shome for our series - ‘What’s the Question? - Rapid Edition’. The series explores the essence of being a celebrity - the journey to stardom, living under the constant lens of the paparazzi, women in Bollywood, and the impact on the consumers of celebrity content.
Woman who Inspires Tillotama Shome
When asked about a woman who inspires her the most, Tillotama revealed that it has always been her mother.
“In my personal life, it’s my mother. What makes her truly inspiring to me is that she doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. She’s incredibly non-judgmental, and that’s her real power,” she mentioned.
What Left A Lasting Impact On Tillotama?
Recalling a moment that left a profound impact on her, the actor shared an invaluable lesson her mother taught her while she was battling cancer. She said “There are many things she has said, but I remember this one clearly. I used to be consumed with worry and fear, and for me, fear is a big thing—it’s my Achilles’ heel. I worry a lot, and it often cripples me. One day, during her illness, she told me, “I am a very strong person, but that doesn’t mean I don’t feel things. Stop putting your fear into me. That really stayed with me. It made me realize how unfair it is to put women on pedestals where they aren’t allowed to be vulnerable or fall.”
Breaking gender stereotypes
When asked about a stereotypical female trait in films that bothers her, Tillotama emphasised that it’s not a single characteristic but rather how characters are reduced to rigid types.
She added, “What bothers me more than a specific trait is when women—or men—are simplified into types. If she’s intellectual, she can’t have a sense of humor. If she’s athletic, she can’t be intellectual. These narrow labels are alienating to me.”
A must-watch recommendation from Tillotama
As for what has captivated her recently, the ‘Paatal Lok’ actor shared her deep admiration for ‘Joyland’.
Adding her thoughts about her recent watch, ‘Joyland’, Shome said, “I’m working on something right now, and I recently rewatched ‘Joyland’—I just can’t get over it. It moved me so much. I thought maybe this time I’d have some distance from it, but it broke my heart all over again.”
