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, Parvathy Thiruvothu 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 and content creator, Kusha Kapila 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.
At the event Kusha Kapila dazzled in all black Pankaj & Nidhi custom ‘Loop’ Collection Ensemble with a Jimmy Choo Bag. She styled herself with minimal makeup and jewellery.
Women who inspire Kusha
When asked if there was a woman she found really inspiring, Kusha was quick to respond and gave her mother a shoutout. "I think my own mother—I find her very, very inspiring. Most recently, I also feel Richa Chadha has been incredibly inspiring for making 'Girls Will Be Girls'. Also, Preeti, the lead actor in the film, is also someone who left a lasting impression on me," she said.
Tired of token representation
When we at Hook asked Kapila- what is one stereotype about female characters that she is tired of seeing and hearing, both as an audience member and an actor in the industry, she responded, "I think when female characters are reduced to just ‘flowerpot’ roles with tokenistic representation. Often, they’re portrayed as ditsy or just there to look pretty."
"The problem isn’t with ditsy women—women can be ditsy. But we are not always ditsy, or always stupid or always in need of saving. Female characters shouldn't just exist as plot points to serve someone else’s journey; they should have their own depth and purpose," she added.
Breaking industry myths
What’s one myth about the industry Kapila believed was true and she found out wasn't later? "I think the biggest realization is that everything takes time. Anything good takes time. If you want to write a great show, it might take a year to craft something worthwhile," she said.
"At the end of the day, everything starts with the script. If you want something great to be made, it first needs to be written well," she added.
'The White Lotus' to 'Adolescence' Kusha's watchlist
When asked what Kusha is hooked watching more recently, the 'Sukhee' actor said, "I watched Adolescence, which I found to be an amazing show and right now, I’m watching The White Lotus, and I really like it."
