Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Taapsee Pannu Says Alpha Failure Hurt Female-Led Films
Taapsee Pannu said women-led movies are judged more harshly than men-led movies.
She said investors expect these films to be almost perfect when they cost a lot of money.
Alpha, starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari, did not earn as much as its reported budget.
Taapsee said this made some investors less willing to fund other movies led by women.
She said one unsuccessful movie can cause several other projects to be cancelled or delayed.
In her view, this happens even when the budgets of women-led films are smaller than those of major male-led films.
She also said that a successful women-led movie can create more opportunities.
Her film Gandhari, directed by Devashish Makhija, is streaming on Netflix.
Taapsee Pannu said the failure of Alia Bhatt-led Alpha affected investor interest in other female-driven projects.
She argued that female-led films face stricter expectations than comparable male-led, big-budget films.
According to Taapsee, one female-led flop can cause other projects to be shelved and investors to withdraw.
Alpha was reportedly made for Rs 130 crore and earned Rs 100 crore worldwide.
Taapsee said successful female-led films can instead encourage investors to explore new genres, including horror.
- Who
- Taapsee Pannu discussed the effect of Alpha’s performance on female-led films and investors.
- What
- She said Alpha’s failure led to reduced investor confidence and the shelving of some other women-led projects.
- When
- Taapsee made the comments during a recent conversation while promoting Gandhari.
- Where
- The comments were made in a conversation with Zoom TV; Gandhari is streaming on Netflix.
- Why
- Taapsee said female-led films face stricter standards, so one relatively high-budget flop can affect the wider community of actresses and projects.
- Film discussed
- Alpha, starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari
- Reported Alpha budget
- Rs 130 crore
- Alpha worldwide earnings
- Rs 100 crore
- Alpha distinction
- The first female-led film in the YRF Spy Universe
- Taapsee’s film
- Gandhari, directed by Devashish Makhija
- Gandhari platform
- Netflix
- Taapsee’s broader point
- Female-led films are judged more harshly and can affect other projects when one fails