Anand Pandit: It's time female-driven stories are given their due as massive revenue earners

Anand Pandit. Picture courtesy/PR

The veteran producer says the success of past and current films with female protagonists show that women must be given their due as massive revenue earners. Veteran Producer Anand Pandit is a keen observer of cinematic trends and a lifelong learner of film history. On the occasion of International Women's Day, he would like to reiterate that given the opportunity, female protagonists can make box-office history.

He says, "It is really unfortunate that so many people believe that female stars cannot open films in a big way. Would they continue to stick to such outdated notions even after the success of 'Gangubai Kathiawadi'? Even in the past, so many films led by Vidya Balan, Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone, and many other remarkable actors have earned not just big bucks but commercial acclaim as well. It is time, they are given their due as massive revenue earners."

He says, "How many people know that a star like Suraiya Ji drew a bigger salary than her male counterparts? Or that Suchitra Sen, Nargis, Madhubala, Meena Kumari, Wahida Rehman, Vaijayanti Mala, Sridevi, and Madhuri Dixit gave solo hits and were even given credit for the success of films where they starred with male stars?"

In the end, he says, it is all about making space for women-led stories because it is at the level of ideation that women need to be considered as equals and offered a large canvas to work with. He concludes, "It is high time that we stop judging women without first offering them the same money and opportunities that the male stars enjoy. It is time to celebrate them for bringing such richness to Indian cinema with their portrayals and their soulfulness".