Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Toxic Highlights Bollywood’s Ongoing Gender Imbalance in Action Cinema
Toxic has several well-known female actors, but the article says their characters are not written with enough importance.
They mostly support the male hero instead of driving the story.
This is a common problem in many Bollywood action movies.
Film companies often believe male stars will bring in more money.
They also assume that most action-film viewers are men.
Because of this, women may be used as love interests, decorations or victims.
Dance numbers can focus on their appearance while men perform most of the action.
Huma Qureshi and Taapsee Pannu say women should have more meaningful and exciting roles.
The article asks Bollywood to give female characters a stronger place in action cinema.
Toxic features Kiara Advani, Nayanthara and Huma Qureshi, but gives their characters limited roles.
The film is criticized for underdeveloped female characters and for wasting its star-studded women’s cast.
Commercial formulas and patriarchal storytelling have traditionally sidelined women in Bollywood action films.
Studios and distributors often view male-led action films as safer investments aimed at predominantly male audiences.
Huma Qureshi and Taapsee Pannu argue that heroines in male-led action films are often expected to support, decorate or soften the hero’s image.
- Who
- Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi and Taapsee Pannu are discussed in relation to women’s roles in Bollywood action films.
- What
- The article criticizes Toxic and examines why women are often given limited, underdeveloped roles in masculine action cinema.
- Where
- Bollywood and mainstream commercial Indian cinema.
- Why
- Commercial expectations, male-star bankability, patriarchal storytelling and assumptions about action audiences are cited as reasons women are sidelined.
- Film discussed
- Toxic
- Female cast mentioned
- Kiara Advani, Nayanthara and Huma Qureshi
- Main criticism
- The women’s characters are described as poorly written and underdeveloped.
- Industry assumption
- Distributors are said to assume that the core audience for high-octane action is predominantly male.
- Common roles for women
- Romantic interests, supporting characters, decorative presences or victims needing rescue.
- Song cited
- Tabaahi, described as a hyper-sexualised dance number in Toxic.
- Industry response noted
- The article says female-led spy thrillers and action films have increased, but mainstream cinema still often sidelines women.