Female Superstars in bollywood. Some thoughts from someone and some from Me.

The Elusive Female Superstar: A Bollywood Conundrum

Hey everyone, Ritik here! Hope you're all doing great. Today, I want to talk about something that's been on my mind, something that sparked a bit of a debate with myself after watching a YouTube video. It touches upon cinema, but also on a much larger picture of our society.

I saw a video on YouTube titled: Why Bollywood will never have a female Superstar? The uncomfortable truth

It's on channel that goes by Filmy Naari.

Check the video here : https://youtu.be/J-krL4puOuE?feature=shared

The speaker in the video talked about why Bollywood, unlike its male-dominated superstar list, hasn't really produced a consistent female superstar.

She broke down what truly defines a superstar: someone with massive appeal, whose films people watch just for them, whose style becomes part of our culture. A person who rules the box office and whose name alone can ensure a huge opening for a film. They are basically a brand, commanding fan clubs and endorsements, and have a unique public aura that goes beyond just acting.

The video explained that Bollywood has always been very male-centric. For a long time, actresses were mostly cast as love interests, mothers, sisters, or for those famous item songs. While many actresses have been very successful and achieved stardom, she argued they haven't been able to keep that superstar tag in the same way male actors do. She mentioned many iconic names from different eras, all brilliant, but none who could guarantee a 100-crore opening just by their name on the poster.

She pointed to several reasons for this, mostly industry biases. A big one is that most commercial films are written around a male hero, leaving less room for actresses to shine as the main lead. Another factor is the expiry date actresses face; roles for them often dry up after 30, while male actors continue playing lead roles well into their 50s. Plus, production houses are often hesitant to invest huge amounts, say 100 crores, in films led solely by women. Even screen time and credit sometimes lean heavily towards male actors, even if the female performance is outstanding.

The media and audience also play a part, according to the video. Media interviews often focus on actresses' personal lives – their boyfriends, marriage, or kids – instead of their work or creative vision. And us, the audience, are often more geared towards hero-driven content. Films with strong female leads sometimes get boxed as niche or feminist, and there’s a big difference in how male and female superstars are worshipped. Also, female actors unfortunately face a lot more online trolling than their male counterparts.

However, the video did end on a hopeful note. It suggested that things are slowly changing thanks to OTT platforms, which provide more opportunities for female-led stories and powerful female performances. Films like Raazi and Gangubai Kathiawadi have shown that strong female-led movies can indeed be huge blockbusters. Social media has also helped, allowing female actors to connect directly with their audience, building their own significant influence. The video concluded by saying the issue isn't a lack of talented female superstars, but rather the system itself that holds them back.

But I don't agree with her this time. While I appreciate the points the video made, I think it didn't go deep enough.

For me, it's not just about Bollywood or any other cinema industry; it's about the very fabric of our society and the country we live in. India, at its core, is still very male-dominant and deeply entrenched in patriarchy.

This bias, these limitations, they aren't unique to the movie industry. You can look at almost any field, any industry, and you'll find the same patterns. Women often only get true appreciation and recognition in roles or fields that our society traditionally considers suitable for females. It's a subtle but powerful societal pressure that dictates what's acceptable and what's not for women to excel in, and it limits their potential across the board.

And regarding the changes that are happening, I feel it's not just because of OTT platforms or specific films. While those certainly help and provide avenues, the bigger reason is that we, as a society, are slowly but surely growing and evolving. It might be happening later than it should, but we have definitely started giving more importance and recognition to women. All these women empowerment initiatives and movements, from grassroots to global stages, are the true driving force behind these changes. It's not just happening in cinema; it's happening everywhere – in boardrooms, in sports, in politics, and in everyday life. These shifts in mindset are far more impactful than any platform or film genre could be on its own.

Ultimately, art often reflects life, and the struggles of female stars in Bollywood are a mirror to the larger struggle for gender equality in our nation. It's a complex issue, and it's exciting to see the slow but steady progress.

What do you all think? Do you agree with my take or the video's? Let me know in the comments below!

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