Asserting the need for the Bollywood industry to make significant strides in enhancing the portrayal of female characters, actress Zoya Hussain communicates her reasons for taking a substantial break from the silver screen before returning with Manoj Bajpayee’s Bhaiyya Ji.
Four days after watching Manoj Bajpayee’s acclaimed performance in Sirf Ek Banda, Zoya Hussain received an unexpected call to star opposite the veteran actor in Bhaiyya Ji. Hussain, who made her debut with Anurag Kashyap’s Mukkabaaz and gained more recognition with Laal Kaptaan alongside Saif Ali Khan, felt a mix of intimidation and excitement at the prospect. “I was very intimidated when they called for this film. I wasn’t sure I could match his prowess. But when I met him, I realized he is very funny. This film is the rare time that I was on a set that was so happy. I really got a dream team to work with,” she revealed in an exclusive interview.
Despite her captivating performance in Hotstar’s much-loved series Grahan, Hussain has earned the label of being picky. Delving into why it took so long for her to reappear in a Bollywood film, she explains, “It’s not that I am so picky. Following Mukkabaaz, I got stereotyped. It was assumed I would only accept similar roles. I am neither from Mumbai, the industry, nor modelling. All my opportunities have come organically. Apoorv and Manoj sir saw my previous work, appreciated it, and decided to give me a call.”
Hussain has turned down numerous commercial films due to their superficial portrayal of female characters. “I’ve refused some commercial films because, in many that were offered to me, the female character was nothing more than an accessory. There was literally nothing substantial to do. I don’t want to be part of such narratives,” she remarked. “I am not saying stories have to be female-oriented, but why can’t complex, character-driven stories come my way? My character in Bhaiyya Ji is still under wraps, but once viewers see the film, they will understand why this role was so gratifying.”
She criticizes the persistent issue in Bollywood where female roles are often reduced to either sexy glam girls or helpless entities. Hussain elucidates, “This is a problem of both casting and writing. When these characters are written, they search for women to fit into these predefined moulds. Writing needs to be diverse.
. For decades, the industry has served the male gaze, featuring a male protagonist with an ensemble of male characters, while women are thrown in as afterthoughts. They are not well-rounded characters.”
The attempt to create more female characters has sometimes led to new stereotypes. “Now, we see efforts to include more female characters, but we are falling into the opposite trope. The independent woman is now often depicted as someone who is rebellious, smoking, and drinking. Rebels can be conservative too. Both the writing and casting departments need extensive work,” she asserts.
Hussain’s journey in the film industry has been significantly affected by personal struggles and biases, which have impeded her access to larger projects. “The release of all my work coincided with the Covid-19 pandemic, causing it to fly under the radar. It takes longer for someone without a modelling background or industry support to get noticed. Keeping oneself motivated and happy is tough,” Hussain admits. She recalls instances of discrimination, “A woman studio head once told me in my first year that I was dusky and curvy and would only fit into indie movies. This made me very angry. Most actresses are tall and thin, and our industry’s inclusion efforts regarding colour and size are still in their tokenism phase. That needs to change. I am vehement about not changing myself just to fit in. I keep my head down and focus on my work.”
Working with Manoj Bajpayee on Bhaiyya Ji was a reaffirmation of her talent and a boost to her career and confidence. “Working alongside Manoj Bajpayee has helped my career, my confidence, and my craft immensely. This experience has validated my worth as an actress of substance.”
Zoya Hussain’s honest critique highlights the ongoing issues within Bollywood regarding the portrayal of women. Her journey serves as a testament to the need for more diversified and substantial female roles in the industry. As she continues to break the mould, Hussain remains a beacon of resilience and a voice for authentic representation in cinema.
