New Delhi: The Bollywood landscape is experiencing a formidable shift as female-led narratives demonstrate their box office prowess, dispelling long-held industry myths. “Team Crew,” a heist comedy fronted by powerhouses Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Kriti Sanon, has become a sensational commercial success, amassing over 100 crores in ticket sales and securing its place as the third highest-grossing opening weekend among Bollywood releases this year.
The industry is abuzz with the groundbreaking accomplishment of “Team Crew,” a representation of female-centric storytelling that defies traditional male-led box office trends. A film distributor expressed, “It’s remarkable how a female lead narrative has been doing brisk business at the theaters. It is heartening for the industry as well as exhibitors that box office success is no longer exclusively tethered to the conventional larger-than-life hero or the Alpha male characters prevalent until now.”
The wave of excitement is palpable amongst the stars themselves. Kareena Kapoor Khan shared her jubilation, “We have seen all our heroes take center stage in road trip or heist movies, but to have women helm it and receive global acclaim, trust me, it’s a different feeling altogether.”
Joining this cinematic revolution, actress Yami Gautam, alongside Priyamani, championed the political thriller “Article 370,” to an impressive gross of 80 crores. Yami Gautam’s reflections on the film’s success delve into the essence of women’s empowerment, “It’s about being entrusted with such responsibility. This marks my first major single lead theatrical release. It challenged me, as well as the director and producer, who took significant risks rather than following formulaic, commercial strategies. Ultimately, it’s a business, but this has instilled immense faith and confidence in me.”
Further contributing to the trend is Kiran Rao’s satirical venture “Laapata Ladies,” which, despite a more modest budget and a lesser-known ensemble, earned a commendable 20 crores, bolstered by strong word-of-mouth endorsements. Rao emphasized the importance of casting to the storytelling process, “Every story demands specific casting. Opting for an entirely new cast for ‘Laapata Ladies’ lent the film freshness and authenticity.”
Historically, the industry has witnessed infrequent successes with female-led stories such as “Fashion,” “Dirty Picture,” “Queen,” “Tanu Weds Manu,” “Piku,” and “Kahani.” However, these were sporadic victories often overshadowed by the staggering collections of their male star counterparts, highlighting an ingrained bias. Actresses have disclosed that a single male actor’s salary could finance an entire female-centric production, and these projects were frequently met with skepticism by cinema owners who meticulously controlled screen allocations.
Alia Bhatt’s “Gangubai Kathiawadi” was a seminal moment for the industry, garnering a whopping 210 crores and providing a beacon of hope as theaters struggled during uncertain times. Trade Analyst Sumit Kadel remarked, “Women-centric films have the potential to succeed, provided they are entertaining, backed by a dynamic cast, offer an engaging trailer, and are supported by a reputable production house. Films like ‘Fashion’ succeeded in their time. ‘Article 370’ brought an impactful narrative, and ‘Crew’s’ star-powered cast and production ensured success. Today’s content-driven industry does not revolve around the titular ‘hero’ or ‘heroine’ but the narratives which truly resonate with audiences.”
As the entertainment sector gradually welcomes this progressive change, Kareena Kapoor Khan aptly summed up the sentiment, “Today, it’s not about hero or heroine, it’s about the content that connects with people. Passionate actors now find themselves in an era rife with intriguing possibilities.”
In this context, the story has indeed emerged as the ultimate victor, uniting audiences and redefining the parameters of success within the bustling, vibrant world of Indian cinema.
