Kanika Dhillon Says Women In Bollywood Are Asking For Equality And Parity But The Journey Ahead Is Long

Kanika Dhillon has made a strong statement about the changing role of women in Bollywood, insisting that the industry has already taken an important first step towards equality and parity. Speaking at the Women Building Indian Cinema panel in Mumbai, the writer filmmaker highlighted the importance of women coming together, creating opportunities for one another and demanding meaningful change both on and off screen.

The special panel, held on August 27, 2026, was hosted by Women in Film India and Kathha Pictures, bringing together prominent female voices from the Indian entertainment industry. Actor producer Taapsee Pannu, Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga Kapoor, writer filmmaker Kanika Dhillon and producer Madhu Chopra participated in the discussion, which focused on collaboration, networking and the growing influence of women-led stories in Indian cinema.

Talking about the idea behind the initiative, Kanika explained that the event was designed to bring women from different areas of filmmaking into the same room. She said, “So today, we are celebrating "Women Building Cinema Together"—a collaboration between my company, Sikhya Entertainment (formerly known as Sikhya/Katha Pictures), and Women in Film, which is headed by Guneet Monga. We decided to come together for a panel discussion on how women in the industry can join forces to make films and create opportunities for one another. This is primarily a networking event designed to allow various professionals—writers, directors, actors, and female producers—to meet, connect, and generate new opportunities. That is the idea behind today’s panel, sponsored by Sikhya Entertainment and Women in Film.”

The conversation naturally turned towards the representation of strong women in Bollywood, something Kanika has consistently explored through her work. With her upcoming film Gandhari set to release on September 3, the filmmaker pointed towards the changing nature of female characters on screen, particularly when it comes to strength, action and complexity.

“You must have seen our trailer. In Gandhari, which is releasing on September 3rd, the women are certainly strong; they are even engaging in action sequences. So, they are strong both physically and mentally. In fact, excellent roles are being written for women in Bollywood now, which is a great step forward,” Kanika said.

Her comments highlight a significant shift in mainstream Hindi cinema, where female characters are increasingly being written as protagonists with agency rather than simply being supporting figures in a male-led story. From action-driven roles to emotionally complex characters, women are getting more opportunities to occupy the centre of the narrative.

However, the discussion did not stop at what audiences see on screen. Kanika was also asked whether women working within Bollywood are genuinely able to stand their ground when it comes to their demands, careers and working conditions. Her response acknowledged both the progress and the challenges that remain.

“Well, they certainly try, and often they do make headway. A beginning has been made—a start towards equality and parity in every sense. The journey ahead is long, but it is a positive thing that we have started asking for these changes.”

That statement perhaps captures the current conversation around women in Indian cinema better than anything else. Progress has been made, but there is still considerable ground to cover. The fact that women are openly discussing pay, opportunities, representation, leadership and working conditions is itself being viewed as an important part of the industry's evolution.

The Women Building Indian Cinema panel also underlined the importance of collaboration rather than competition. By bringing together actors, writers, directors and producers, the initiative aims to create a stronger professional network where women can support each other and potentially turn conversations into actual projects and opportunities.

Kanika’s own upcoming project Gandhari adds another interesting dimension to the discussion. Releasing on September 3, the film promises strong female characters who are not afraid to enter the action zone. For Kanika, the growing presence of such roles is evidence that the audience and industry are becoming more receptive to stories centred around powerful women.

The larger message from the panel was clear: women are not simply asking to be included in Indian cinema; they are increasingly looking to build, lead and shape it themselves. From production houses and writers' rooms to acting and direction, women are creating spaces where their voices can influence the stories being told.

Kanika Dhillon’s comments strike a balance between celebration and realism. Bollywood may be moving towards greater equality and parity, but as she pointed out, “The journey ahead is long.” The difference today is that women across the industry are increasingly willing to have that conversation, demand change and, most importantly, create opportunities for each other.

With Gandhari arriving in cinemas on September 3 and initiatives such as Women Building Indian Cinema bringing influential women together, the conversation around female representation in Bollywood is clearly gaining momentum. And if Kanika’s words are anything to go by, this could be only the beginning.

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