Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Saiyami Kher Says Female Actors Still Must Prove Themselves
Saiyami Kher says movies led by women are judged more harshly when they do not make enough money.
She says movies led by men often receive more chances after disappointing audiences.
Kher used Alpha, starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari, as an example of an important female-led project.
She believes women in the film industry still have to prove they can lead successful movies.
However, she also said more women are now working as directors, writers and technicians.
Kher wants filmmakers to write more strong roles for women.
Shriya Pilgaonkar said women often find it harder to return to leading roles after taking a break.
Both actors believe one successful female-led movie could encourage more such films.
Saiyami Kher says female-led films face greater scrutiny after box-office underperformance than male-led movies.
She cited Alia Bhatt and Sharvari’s Alpha as a major female-led project requiring women to continue proving themselves.
Kher said opportunities are increasing for female directors, writers, technicians, cinematographers and actors.
She called for more scripts centered on women and praised performers including Smita Patil, Shabana Azmi, Tabu and Shefali Shah.
Shriya Pilgaonkar said women often struggle to regain leading roles after career breaks, while Haiwaan is scheduled for September 11.
- Who
- Actors Saiyami Kher and Shriya Pilgaonkar discussed the treatment of women-led films and roles in Bollywood.
- What
- They argued that female actors and female-led movies face greater scrutiny, while calling for more women-centered scripts and opportunities.
- When
- The discussion was published ahead of Haiwaan’s scheduled release on September 11; no year is specified.
- Where
- The comments concerned Bollywood and were made in an exclusive conversation with SCREEN.
- Why
- Kher and Pilgaonkar said women-led films are judged more harshly and women often have fewer opportunities to return to leading roles after breaks.
Gender Inequality Concerns
Signs Of Industry Change
Film scrutiny
Gender Inequality Concerns
Saiyami Kher says female-led films are questioned and judged more harshly after failing to connect with audiences, while male-led films receive repeated opportunities.
Signs Of Industry Change
Kher acknowledges that the landscape is changing and that more female-led projects are being made.
Career opportunities
Gender Inequality Concerns
Shriya Pilgaonkar says women returning after a seven- or 10-year break may have to start from zero, unlike male actors who can remain leading men.
Signs Of Industry Change
Pilgaonkar believes one successful female-led film could encourage filmmakers to create more stories centered on women.
Industry representation
Gender Inequality Concerns
Kher says women still have to keep proving they can headline films and that too few roles are written for them.
Signs Of Industry Change
Kher says the growing presence of female directors, writers, technicians, cinematographers and actors is encouraging.
- Main concern
- Female-led films face intense scrutiny when they underperform at the box office.
- Film cited
- Alpha, starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari, was described as a major female-led spy project with significant investment.
- Industry progress
- Kher said more women are working as directors, writers, technicians, cinematographers and actors.
- Writing gap
- Kher said she wishes more scripts were written for women.
- Career breaks
- Pilgaonkar said male actors can return after seven to 10 years and remain leading men, while women may have to start over.
- Upcoming film
- Haiwaan is directed by Priyadarshan and stars Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan.
- Release date
- Haiwaan is scheduled to release on September 11.