The cinematic landscape has long been dominated by male actors soaring high with adrenaline-fueled stunts and action sequences. Yet, times are changing as Bollywood actresses such as Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, Nayanthara, Kriti Sanon, and Katrina Kaif begin to take on the mantle in full-throttle action films. Despite their commendable performances in titles like ‘Don’, ‘Pathan’, ‘Jawan’, ‘Ganapath’, and ‘Tiger 3’, a question lingers: why does the action genre continue to mainly magnify its male heroes?
Addressing this pertinent question, famed Indian director Rohit Shetty, known for his action-packed blockbusters, unveiled the underlying reasons in a candid interview with ANI. Shetty, who is set to captivate audiences with his cop-based OTT show ‘Indian Police Force’ featuring Shilpa Shetty and with Deepika Padukone in the upcoming ‘Singham Again’, elucidates on the rarity of female-driven action films in the industry.
According to Rohit Shetty, the issue isn’t a shortage of talent but of the economic backing required to produce such large-scale films. “You know why Shilpa and Deepika are doing action in films now? It’s because now we have those budgets and scale,” he explains. Formidable female stars capable of executing breathtaking stunts are abundant, yet the director stresses that movies with female leads often do not receive the hefty budgets afforded to their male counterparts.
Rohit Shetty emphasizes that the financial model of filmmaking plays a crucial role. He highlights the disparity in production scale and audience markets when comparing Bollywood to international standards. “If you see the films which we are talking about abroad of that scale, it’s because of their market,” he says. The director acknowledges that although there has always been an audience for female-led action films, with a surge in budgetary support, these films can now achieve a new echelon of cinematic experience.
The conversation then shifted towards the broader struggles that filmmakers face today. With elevated expectations from audiences for extravagant production scales, filmmakers are often grappling with the limitations set by financial resources. Rohit Shetty divulges the challenging economics behind the glitter of the box office, revealing that even when a film’s business hits the lofty Rs 700 crores, after deducting taxes and other expenses, the real profit for producers dwindles to roughly Rs 275 to 300 crores.
“Our audience is accustomed to that scale, and we don’t have that kind of budgets,” Shetty remarks, shedding light on the challenging reality behind the scenes of the movie-making industry. Notwithstanding the caliber of technicians and actors available, the financial constraints remain as the largest hurdle in bringing action-packed stories with female protagonists to the fore.
Shetty also commends the South Indian film industry for their intrepid investments in big-budget films, citing the unparalleled success of films such as ‘KGF’ and ‘Kantara’. Despite their relatively smaller market size, their risk-taking and commitment have paid off, marking a significant achievement in the pan-India context.
With the conversation illuminating the struggles of budgeting behind the glamour of Indian cinema, Rohit Shetty gears up for his upcoming action spectacle, ‘Singham Again’, set to release on the nation’s Independence Day in 2024. The anticipation for this movie runs high, raising questions about whether it will also address the balance between gender representation in action roles and the economic limitations that currently dictate the narrative.
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