Filmmaker Prerna Arora comments on gender disparity in Bollywood: There’s a long way to go & we’ve reached half way

In a male dominated space like the Indian film industry, very few women have been able to secure a solid place for themselves. Even today, many take a back-step when they have to back a women-led film. However, over the years, many females have taken to the business of filmmaking to be able to tell stories that they want to. The shift was major when actresses such as Kriti Sanon, Alia Bhatt and others started to produce the kind of content they’d like to be part of. And in their journey, filmmakers such as Prerna Arora, Ekta Kapoor, Rhea Kapoor, Guneet Monga and others have made a significant contribution. However, the gender disparity continues to exist.

“We have come a long way but even today, women-led films continue to receive unequal treatment in terms of resources and support as compared to big budgeted films that are led by heroes. However, I’d like to see the greener side. There was a time when film sets didn’t have a single female, today, at least 30-50% of the crew are women. More females are telling their stories,” says Prerna Arora.

Talking about gender parity and her experience with the same, she added, “See how ‘Crew’ performed! That wouldn’t have happened a few years ago. If I talk about myself, I’d say I am doing more than surviving. In fact, I am thriving in a male-dominated industry. I am creating opportunities for myself, collaborating with the best people to be with in the industry, and the same I am seeing for my contemporaries. So, yes, even if there’s a long way to go, we’ve reached half way,” Arora shared.

Arora has been supporting out-of-the-box content and socially relevant filmography ever since she started her journey as a producer. Her filmography boasts of films like ‘Padman’, ‘Pari’, ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’ and ‘Rustom’ to name a few. Now, she is looking forward to the release of two of her films ‘Hero Heeroine’ and ‘Dunk: Once Bitten Twice Shy’, which are set to hit the theatres soon.