“Why do filmmakers equate aggression with strength?”: Nandita Das in a Hook exclusive

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Nandita Das’s insights underscore the urgent need for a shift in how female characters are portrayed in cinema. Das aptly puts it, the responsibility lies with both filmmakers and audiences to demand and create change.

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 director Nandita Das 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.

During our conversation with the 'Zwigato' movie director we asked about a woman who has inspired her, Das immediately named Aruna Roy. Recognizing her as an exceptional social activist, she highlighted Roy’s relentless work in championing the Right to Information (RTI) Act in India. She credited Roy for bringing transparency and accountability through her activism, making her a figure of immense influence and inspiration.

Breaking stereotypes of female characters

At the event when asked about that one stereotype about female characters that needs to go, Das replied she is tired of seeing the one-dimensional portrayal of strong female characters. She pointed out how filmmakers often equate strength with aggression, revenge or arrogance.

“We have a strange notion of strength. If you want to show a feminist character, a strong character, they are taking revenge, they are being violent, brattish, or rude. But that’s not the only way to be strong,” she explained.

According to her, true strength lies in vulnerability, a quality that is often overlooked in storytelling. She emphasized that women can be both strong and vulnerable at the same time, and cinema should reflect this complexity more authentically.

The struggles of pushing boundaries in storytelling

Further, we asked about struggles of pushing boundaries in cinema and Das acknowledged the difficulties of bringing nuanced female characters to the screen, especially before the rise of social media and streaming platforms.

“To pitch these stories is really tough because you're constantly having to break stereotypes. People have a fixed notion of how a story should be,” she remarked. The overuse of drama and violence in mainstream cinema has conditioned audiences to expect exaggerated narratives, often at the cost of realistic storytelling.

She also pointed that fear in storytelling does not necessarily have to come from external threats like guns and violence. Instead, she believes that true fear can be derived from everyday experiences—feeling guilty, being judged by society, or the weight of expectations. Das urged filmmakers to bring more nuance and layering to female characters, moving away from the hyper-dramatic portrayals often seen on screen.

Are audiences ready for change?

At the event, we also asked Das if she believed Indian audiences are ready for change. She reinforced the fact that while there is an audience for nuanced and diverse storytelling, the challenge lies in reaching them effectively. Films like 'All We Imagine as Light' and 'Lapaataa Ladies' prove that such stories resonate with viewers, yet they often struggle with proper marketing and outreach.

“Often, when a different kind of film comes out, people don’t have the conviction to market it well. While the percentage of people seeking such films might be less, in absolute numbers, there are still millions who would love to watch them,” she said.

She highlighted the ongoing dilemma between filmmakers and audiences, where each group waits for the other to take the first step. “Audiences say, ‘This is all you show us,’ while filmmakers say, ‘This is what you want to watch.’ Who is going to break this cycle?," she asked emphatically.

According to Das, change will only come when storytellers take responsibility and actively work to bring diverse, meaningful narratives to the forefront. Until then, the cycle of repetitive storytelling will continue, limiting the scope of cinema and the representation of women within it.

Nandita Das has acted in over 40 feature films in ten different languages. Das appeared in the films 'Fire', 'Earth', 'Bawandar', 'Kannathil Muthamittal', Azhagi. Her directorial debut 'Firaaq', premiered at the Toronto Film Festival and travelled to more than 50 festivals, winning more than 20 awards.

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