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Analysing gender diversity in Indian entertainment

Clean Slate Filmz • Emmay Entertainment • Excel Entertainment • Jio Studios • Producers Guild India • RSVP • SonyLiv • Tiger Baby • Zee5

Uncovering gender diversity
in modern Indian entertainment

The O Womaniya! 2023 report seeks to build on the data-driven analysis of last year’s research, mapping year on year trends in the substantive representation of women on screen, as well as behind it – as directors, writers, producers, and decision-makers.

By exploring these dimensions, we aim to identify the gaps, challenges, and opportunities for creating a more gender-balanced and inclusive industry.

aparna purohit

Head of Originals, India & Southeast Asia |
Prime Video

In 2023, the women of India made their mark at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, with over 44% of medals earned by women athletes. 100 rocket-women spearheaded key Chandrayaan-3 systems, leading not only India but global space programs into uncharted terrain of the Moon’s southern hemisphere. India even passed a law to reserve seats for women legislators. Unfortunately, the same enviable track record of women inching towards parity doesn’t hold true for women in Media and Entertainment.

The third edition of 'O Womaniya,' a report by Ormax Media & Film Companion, is a definitive report on female representation in Indian entertainment. The stark findings are a clarion call to professionals in the industry to take stock of the glaring gender disparities still prevalent within the Indian entertainment industry. Entangled in gender imbalances and skewed ratios between men and women, this year’s report highlights a further divide within the media ecosystems where certain segments are good on the promise of balancing the scales, whereas others are trailing further behind.

In a highly diverse and multicultural country with a rich tapestry of languages, religions, traditions, and cultures, isn’t it only fair to expect that our entertainment mirrors this diversity? However, the hard truth is that a substantial disparity exists in this sphere. The limited presence of women directing theatrical releases furthers the risk of perpetuating traditional stereotypes and denies the female perspective the attention it deserves. Empowering women in these positions isn't just about achieving gender equality; it's about enriching the world of entertainment, promoting lasting change, and fostering a more inclusive and representative future for all. The recent drive towards female-forward narratives, often led by streaming platforms, has played a transformative role. It challenges preconceived notions, such as the belief that female-led narratives don't captivate audiences or that women cannot helm projects. In fact, the women-led projects encompass a broad spectrum of diversity and viability, extending far beyond just women, with nuanced aspects that can make them commercially successful. This shift rewrites the narrative of women's contributions in both reel and real life. However, there remains a glimmer of hope! I am truly excited to share that for the first-time ever, multiple actors, writers, creators, industry bodies and important stakeholders across the media and entertainment sector, have collectively come together to pledge change, as we share the findings of this edition of the O Womaniya! report. This remarkable unity within the industry represents a pivotal milestone in the evolution of India's entertainment landscape towards a more diverse and inclusive environment. With these pledges, each individual, entity and guild, has promised to prioritize female representation in their respective fields – an important step towards defining actionable objectives that will go a long way in delivering meaningful, measurable outcomes.

This initiative promises to stimulate deeper, more meaningful conversations around improving female representation in Indian entertainment. We, at Prime Video India, are honoured to support Ormax Media and Film Companion in their commitment to highlighting the pressing importance of achieving equity in on-screen representation through the third edition of the 'O Womaniya!' report. Together, we are taking significant strides toward a more inclusive and representative future for the world of entertainment.

THEATRICAL FILMS (62)

model-open model-close

K.G.F: Chapter 2

RRR

Kantara

Ponniyin Selvan - PSI

Vikram

Beast

Brahmāstra

Drishyam 2

The Kashmir Files

Sarkaru Vaari Paata

Valimai

Don

Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2

Bheemla Nayak

Thiruchitrambalam

Karthikeya 2

God Father

Love Today

Gangubai Kathiawadi

F3

Radhe Shyam

James

Vikrant Rona

777 Charlie

Sardar

Sita Ramam

Bimbisara

Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu

Ved

Viruman

Etharkkum Thunindhavan

Bangarraju

Dhamaka

Major

Acharya

Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kadhal

Malikappuram

Liger

Vikram Vedha

JugJugg Jeeyo

Ram Setu

Naane Varuven

Cobra

The Warriorr

Prince

Bheeshma Parvam

Samrat Prithviraj

Bhediya

Laal Singh Chaddha

Hridayam

Thallumaala

Saunkan Saunkne

Ante Sundaraniki

Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey

Jana Gana Mana

Kaduva

Hit: The 2nd Case

Shamshera

DJ Tillu

Dharmaveer

Pawankhind

Projapati

STREAMING FILMS (38)

model-open model-close

One Cut Two Cut

Bro Daddy

Salute

12th Man

Puzhu

Mudhal Nee Mudivum Nee

Taanakkaran

Maaran

O2

Mahaan

Ammu

Butterfly

Cuttputlli

A Thursday

Govinda Naam Mera

Gehraiyaan

Freddy

Kaun Pravin Tambe?

Babli Bouncer

Good Luck Jerry

Jalsa

Maja Ma

Sharmaji Namkeen

Darlings

Jogi

Dasvi

Monica, O My Darling

Forensic

Plan A Plan B

Thar

Love Hostel

Jaadugar

Qala

Family Pack

Achcham Madam Naanam Payirppu

Oh My Dog

Saani Kaayidham

Chinni

Man of the Match

STREAMING SERIES (56)

model-open model-close

Karagar

Rudra: The Edge Of Darkness

Aashram S3

Panchayat S2

The Great Indian Murder

Criminal Justice: Adhura Sach

Breathe Into The Shadows S2

Dahan: Raakan Ka Rahasya

Hostel Daze S3

Human

Four More Shots Please! S3

Bhaukaal S2

Karm Yuddh

Campus Diaries

Shiksha Mandal

Masoom

Escaype Live

Shoorveer

Modern Love Mumbai

Home Shanti

Ghar Waapsi

Delhi Crime S2

Guilty Minds

Crash Course

Flames S3

Dharavi Bank

Maharani S2

Hush Hush

Mind The Malhotras S2

Rocket Boys

Mismatched S2

College Romance S3

Gullak S3

Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein

The Fame Game

Jamtara S2

Tanaav

Pitchers S2

Dr. Arora

Saas Bahu Achaar Pvt. Ltd.

Tripling S3

Khakee: The Bihar Chapter

Mai

Physics Wallah

Humble Politiciann Nograj

B.E. Rojgaar

Suzhal - The Vortex

Anantham

Vadhandhi: The Fable of Velonie

Meme Boys

Tamil Rockerz

Modern Love Hyderabad

Meet Cute

9 Hours

Parampara S2

Putham Pudhu Kaalai Vidiyaadhaa (AOS)

FILMS & SERIES ANALYZED 156 PROPERTIES HINDI TELUGU 11 76 30 7 23 9 12 21 43 16 8 6 5 0 2 5 3 1 17 2 4 7 4 0 THEATRICAL FILMS TOTAL PROPERTIES STREAMING FILMS STREAMING SERIES 62 38 56 156 OTHERS MARATHI, PUNJABI, BENGALI MALAYALAM TAMIL KANNADA THEATRICAL FILMS SELECTED BASED ON FOOTFALLS STREAMING SERIES & FILMS SELECTED BASED ON ORMAX MEDIA’S VIEWERSHIP ESTIMATES
 PROPERTIES RELEASED IN 2022 FILMS & SERIES ANALYZED 156 PROPERTIES THEATRICAL FILMS 62 STREAMING FILMS 38 STREAMING SERIES 56 9 23 76 30 11 7 TELUGU TAMIL OTHERS KANNADA HINDI MALAYALAM

Stars behind the Stars

CREATIVE TALENT

The impact of gender representation behind the camera extends far beyond the industry itself. It influences the stories that are told, the narratives that shape our culture, and the aspirations of future generations. When women are empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents, we witness the emergence of more diverse and authentic storytelling, offering audiences a richer and more nuanced experience.

To map the progression of female representation in creative decision-making roles, we looked at the number of women in key Head of Department (HOD) positions across our selected 156 properties in 2022 vis-à-vis 2021.

Who’s the Boss?

female representation
across HOD positions

365 Days.
Barely any Progress.

Minimal growth from 10%
to 12% in 2022 vs 2021.

780 POSITIONS ACROSS 156 PROPERTIES

Do women hire women?

Female HOD representation as
determined by the gender of
commissioning in-charge

Share of female HODs increased from 17% to 22% in content greenlit by commissioning in-charges. female 17% 8% 22% 7% While the share of female HODs hired when a was commissioning-in- charge fell from 8% to 7%. man  2021 2022 17% 22% Share of female HODs increased from 17% to 22% in content green-lit by commissioning in-charges. female While the share of female HODs hired when a was commissioning-in-charge fell from 8% to 7%. man 7% 8%

COMMISSIONING IN-CHARGE
On the plus side, 31% of properties now have had a female
commissioning in-charge, compared to 25% last year

PRODUCTION DESIGN 5% 3% 7% 4% 10% 8% 12% 12% 24% 23% 23% WRITING DIRECTION EDITING CINEMATOGRAPHY 2021 2022 2021 2022

FEMALE REPRESENTATION

BY HOD POSITIONS

Across streaming and theatrical, incremental increases of no more than 3% were seen in Editing, Cinematography, and Directing. 

Production Design representation decreased by 1%. 

Writing saw no change between 2021 and 2022.

STREAMING FILMS THEATRICAL FILMS STREAMING SERIES 3% 16% 17% 3% 17% 13% 2021 2022

FEMALE HOD REPRESENTATION

BY FORMAT/ DISTRIBUTION

Female HOD representation in streaming films and series saw an increase by 4 and 1 percentage points respectively.

Theatrical films remained stagnant at 3%.

As a result, the gap between Theatrical and Streaming has widened this year.

LANGUAGE Hindi Tamil Malayalam Telugu Kannada Others 4% 7% 4% 10% 0% 5% 0% 0% 17% 17% 6% 1% 2021 2022

FEMALE HOD REPRESENTATION

BY LANGUAGE

The share of female HODs in Hindi content has remained stagnant at 17%.

While other languages have shown some positive movement from near-zero levels, Hindi remains the only language with double-digit female HOD representation.

Bechdel Test All 156 properties were evaluated on the Bechdel Test, which is an Internationally-accepted measure of female representation in cinema. In order to pass the test, a film must have at least one scene where two named women are talking to each other about something other than a man. For streaming series, given their longer runtime, the criterion was modified to ‘at least three scenes’. bombay baarish disco twitter tomatoes traffic

Bechdel Test

across 156 properties

All 156 properties were evaluated on the Bechdel Test, which is an Internationally-accepted measure of female representation in cinema.

In order to pass the test, a film must have at least one scene where two named women are talking to each other about something other than a man.

For streaming series, given their longer runtime, the criterion was modified to ‘at least three scenes’.

BECHDEL TEST:
We Need to Talk

Properties passing the
Bechdel Test decreased
from 55% in 2021 to 47%
in 2022.

The portrayal of womens’ lives became less complex, independent, and varied. Gender stereotypes were likely reinforced. Diversity in content suffered.

ACROSS 156 PROPERTIES

Not all that glitters is gold.

BECHDEL TEST BY GENDER OF
COMMISSIONING IN-CHARGE (% PASSED)

68% 50% 56% 44% There was a drop from 68% to 56% in content greenlit by commissioning in-charges. female There was a drop from 50% to 44% in content greenlit by commissioning in-charges. male 2021 2022 68% 56% 44% 50% There was a drop from 68% to 56% in content greenlit by commissioning in-charges. female There was a drop from 50% to 44% in content greenlit by commissioning in-charges. male

COMMISSIONING IN-CHARGE
While properties led by female commissioning in-charges
show a higher Bechdel Test pass rate, both segments have
experienced a notable decline in 2022.

2021 2022 STREAMING FILMS THEATRICAL FILMS STREAMING SERIES 46% 34% 55% 55% 64% 58% 2021 2022 STREAMING FILMS STREAMING SERIES THEATRICAL FILMS 64% 58% 46% 34% 55% 55%

BECHDEL TEST

BY FORMAT/ DISTRIBUTION

12% fewer theatrical films and 6% fewer streaming films passed the Bechdel test in 2022 vs. 2021.

Only streaming series held their position at 55%. As a result, the gap between Theatrical and Streaming categories has further widened this year, on this parameter too.

the best performers

maximum number of scenes
that passed the test

THE BEST PERFORMERS MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SCENES THAT PASSED THE TEST
  • Guilty Minds
  • Four More Shots Please! S3
  • Hush Hush
  • Home Shanti
  • Delhi Crime S2
  • Mismatched S2
  • Ante Sundaraniki
  • Ajeeb Dastaans
  • Saas Bahu Achaar Pvt. Ltd.
  • The Fame Game
  • Escaype Live
  • Human
  • Mind The Malhotras S2
  • Gangubai Kathiawadi
  • Maja Ma
  • Crash Course
  • Modern Love Hyderabad

From Reels to Reality

pledges taken by the industry

ALIA BHATT

Actor & Producer

“I pledge to continue to promote diversity in my production projects.”

Vikramaditya Motwane

Director & Producer

“I pledge to promote diversity in my projects.”

Tahira Kashyap Khurrana

Writer, Director & Author

“I pledge to tell women’s stories with a narrative which is unique to them.”

Gayatri and Pushkar

Filmmakers

“We pledge to continue to promote diversity in our projects, to continue to include women in writer’s rooms and to continue to follow the Govt. mandated PoSH guidelines and have an ICC within the Organisation.”

Madhu Bhojwani

Partner, Emmay Entertainment

“I pledge to provide separate bathrooms with accessible sanitary products for women on set, to promote diversity in my projects, to include women in writer’s rooms and to follow the Govt. mandated PoSH guidelines and have an ICC within the organisation.”

Juhi Chaturvedi

Screenwriter

“I pledge to promote diversity in my projects and to include women in writer’s rooms.”

Alankrita Shrivastava

Writer, Director & Producer

“I pledge to promote diversity in my projects and to continue to include women in writer’s rooms.”

APOORVA MEHTA

CEO | DHARMA PRODUCTIONS

“I pledge to continue to promote diversity across all our verticals at Dharma Productions & Dharmatic Entertainment.”

Daggubati Suresh Babu

Producer | Suresh Productions

“I pledge to continue to promote diversity in my projects.”

Monisha Advani

PARTNER | Emmay Entertainment

“I pledge to provide separate bathrooms with accessible sanitary products for women on set, to promote diversity in my projects, to include women in writer’s rooms and to follow the Govt. mandated PoSH guidelines and have an ICC within the organisation.”

Aparna Purohit

Head of Originals, India & Southeast Asia, Prime Video

“I pledge to include women in writer's room and to work towards atleast 30% women HOD's in all of our productions.”

Swati PatnaiK

Creative Director, Applause Entertainment

“I pledge to continue to promote diversity in my projects.”

Sudha Kongara

Director & Screenwriter

“I pledge to ensure that my producers comply with the Govt. mandated PoSH guidelines and have an ICC in place.”

Hansal Mehta

Director

“I pledge to promote diversity in my projects and to include women in writer’s rooms.”

Shakun Batra

FILMMAKER

“I pledge to promote diversity in my projects, to continue collaborating with and supporting intimacy professionals to ensure sets are a safe space for all.”

Nikkhil Advani

PARTNER | Emmay Entertainment

“I pledge to provide separate bathrooms with accessible sanitary products for women on set, to promote diversity in my projects, to include women in writer’s rooms and to follow the Govt. mandated PoSH guidelines and have an ICC within the organisation.”

Supriya Yarlagadda

Producer & Executive Director | Annapurna Studios

“We at Annapurna, are the first studio and production house to establish an ICC in the Telugu film industry. We shall continue our endeavor to promote diversity in our productions and include women in writer's rooms. Our environment is constantly evolving to support more women in the workplace.”

Siddharth Roy Kapur

Founder & MD Roy Kapur Films

“I pledge to continue to promote diversity in my projects, to continue to include women in writer’s rooms and to continue to follow the Govt. mandated PoSH guidelines and have an ICC within the organisation.”

Priya Jhavar

Senior Creative Director, Applause Entertainment

“I pledge to continue to include women in writer’s rooms.”

Supriya Menon

Partner at Prithviraj Productions

“I pledge to continue to promote diversity in my projects, to continue to include women in writer’s rooms and to continue to follow the Govt. mandated PoSH guidelines and have an ICC within the Organisation.”

Shobu Yarlagadda

Producer, Arka Media Works

“I pledge to continue to promote diversity in my projects and to continue to include women in writer’s rooms.”

FROM THE ROUNDTABLE:

Kriti Sanon

Actor & Producer

"There is a huge section of society that is still very patriarchal, where a male's opinion matters a lot more than a woman's opinion. It's a mentality that I have seen around."

from the roundtable

Kriti Sanon

Actor & Producer

"I reached a point in my film journey where I thought to myself that I need to either change my gender or stop making films - that’s the point it can bring you to when you are constantly made to work twice as hard as any man in the room to be able to put your opinion forward."

Long Story Short

TRAILER TALK TIME

The Trailer Talk Time Test

If movies are the main course, then trailers are their appetizers – setting viewer expectations and revealing what producers’ believe will attract audiences. To assess whether women feature in this imagination of favorable markets, and gauge their visibility in promotional material, we devised The Trailer Talk Time Test in 2021.

The premise is straightforward: we measure the percentage of speaking time allocated to female characters compared to their male counterparts in the main trailer of each property. The comparative analysis between 2021 and 2022 sheds light on the progress, or lack thereof, of gender representation within these promotional glimpses, revealing important trends in the Indian entertainment landscape.

BLINK AND MISS

trailer talk time test

Women have only 27% talk
time in trailers in 2022, a
marginal increase from 2021

For every second a woman may speak in a trailer, men speak 2.7 seconds.

ACROSS 156 PROPERTIES

two bits of fame

trailer talk time BY THE GENDER
OF THE commissioning in-charge

MALE COMMISIONING IN-CHARGE 24% 22% FEMALE COMMISIONING IN-CHARGE 34% 35%

The difference in Trailer Talk Time
based on the gender of the
commissioning in-charge is
sizable, at 10 percentage points.

There has been no significant
change in this metric since the
last report.

COMMISSIONING IN-CHARGE
(Male Commissioning In-Charge for 107 Properties,
Female Commissioning In-Charge for 49 Properties)

FEMALE COMMISIONING IN-CHARGE MALE COMMISIONING IN-CHARGE 24% 34% 22% 35%
2021 2022 STREAMING FILMS THEATRICAL FILMS STREAMING SERIES 18% 21% 32% 30% 33% 28% 2021 2022 STREAMING FILMS THEATRICAL FILMS STREAMING SERIES 2 8 % 18% 21% 32% 30% 33% 28%

trailer talk time

BY FORMAT/ DISTRIBUTION

Interestingly, streaming films noted the highest increase of 5% in female trailer talk time, surpassing streaming series to be the best-rated category at 33%.

Like HOD representation and Bechdel Test, the Streaming category remains well ahead of Theatrical on this metric too.

highest trailer talk time

PROPERTIES WITH 50%+ FEMALE
TRAILER TALK TIME

HIGHEST 
 TRAILER TALK TIME PROPERTIES WITH 50%+ FEMALE TRAILER TALK TIME
  • Hush Hush
  • Four More Shots Please! S3
  • Achcham Madam Naanam...
  • Saas Bahu Achaar Pvt. Ltd.
  • Gangubai Kathiawadi
  • Gehraiyaan
  • The Fame Game
  • Saunkan Saunkne
  • Karagar
  • Ammu
  • Delhi Crime S2
  • A Thursday
  • Qala
  • Jalsa
  • Masoom
  • Babli Bouncer
  • O2
  • Monica, O My Darling
  • Jogi
  • Vikrant Rona
  • Hridayam
  • Ved
  • Mai
  • Guilty Minds
  • Sita Ramam

Roundtable Conference

For O Womaniya! 2023, we invited various artists from different walks of filmmaking for a roundtable. We wanted to get from them concrete suggestions that would spur tangible change to shift the needle for representation of women in film. We also wanted to highlight gender biases they have noticed/experienced around them while breaking into the industry and how they conquered it. Here’s a notable conversation between some of the country’s finest filmmakers, actors, studio heads and writers pouring their hearts out on how we can make cinema more inclusive.

From Reels to Reality

pledges taken by the industry

APOORVA MEHTA

CEO | DHARMA PRODUCTIONS

“I pledge to continue to promote diversity across all our verticals at Dharma Productions & Dharmatic Entertainment.”

Daggubati Suresh Babu

Producer | Suresh Productions

“I pledge to continue to promote diversity in my projects.”

Monisha Advani

PARTNER | Emmay Entertainment

“I pledge to provide separate bathrooms with accessible sanitary products for women on set, to promote diversity in my projects, to include women in writer’s rooms and to follow the Govt. mandated PoSH guidelines and have an ICC within the organisation.”

Aparna Purohit

Head of Originals, India & Southeast Asia, Prime Video

“I pledge to include women in writer's room and to work towards atleast 30% women HOD's in all of our productions.”

Swati PatnaiK

Creative Director, Applause Entertainment

“I pledge to continue to promote diversity in my projects.”

Sudha Kongara

Director & Screenwriter

“I pledge to ensure that my producers comply with the Govt. mandated PoSH guidelines and have an ICC in place.”

Hansal Mehta

Director

“I pledge to promote diversity in my projects and to include women in writer’s rooms.”

ALIA BHATT

Actor & Producer

“I pledge to continue to promote diversity in my production projects.”

Vikramaditya Motwane

Director & Producer

“I pledge to promote diversity in my projects.”

Tahira Kashyap Khurrana

Writer, Director & Author

“I pledge to tell women’s stories with a narrative which is unique to them.”

Gayatri and Pushkar

Filmmakers

“We pledge to continue to promote diversity in our projects, to continue to include women in writer’s rooms and to continue to follow the Govt. mandated PoSH guidelines and have an ICC within the Organisation.”

Madhu Bhojwani

Partner, Emmay Entertainment

“I pledge to provide separate bathrooms with accessible sanitary products for women on set, to promote diversity in my projects, to include women in writer’s rooms and to follow the Govt. mandated PoSH guidelines and have an ICC within the organisation.”

Juhi Chaturvedi

Screenwriter

“I pledge to promote diversity in my projects and to include women in writer’s rooms.”

Alankrita Shrivastava

Writer, Director & Producer

“I pledge to promote diversity in my projects and to continue to include women in writer’s rooms.”

Shakun Batra

FILMMAKER

“I pledge to promote diversity in my projects, to continue collaborating with and supporting intimacy professionals to ensure sets are a safe space for all.”

Nikkhil Advani

PARTNER | Emmay Entertainment

“I pledge to provide separate bathrooms with accessible sanitary products for women on set, to promote diversity in my projects, to include women in writer’s rooms and to follow the Govt. mandated PoSH guidelines and have an ICC within the organisation.”

Supriya Yarlagadda

Producer & Executive Director | Annapurna Studios

“We at Annapurna, are the first studio and production house to establish an ICC in the Telugu film industry. We shall continue our endeavor to promote diversity in our productions and include women in writer's rooms. Our environment is constantly evolving to support more women in the workplace.”

Siddharth Roy Kapur

Founder & MD Roy Kapur Films

“I pledge to continue to promote diversity in my projects, to continue to include women in writer’s rooms and to continue to follow the Govt. mandated PoSH guidelines and have an ICC within the organisation.”

Priya Jhavar

Senior Creative Director, Applause Entertainment

“I pledge to continue to include women in writer’s rooms.”

Supriya Menon

Partner at Prithviraj Productions

“I pledge to continue to promote diversity in my projects, to continue to include women in writer’s rooms and to continue to follow the Govt. mandated PoSH guidelines and have an ICC within the Organisation.”

Shobu Yarlagadda

Producer, Arka Media Works

“I pledge to continue to promote diversity in my projects and to continue to include women in writer’s rooms.”

FROM THE ROUNDTABLE:

Zoya Akhtar

Writer, Director & Producer

"I'm not inclusive for people because it's a charitable thing to do. I'm inclusive because it makes my work stronger and adds perspective that I may not have."

from the roundtable

Zoya Akhtar

Writer, Director & Producer

"I reached a point in my film journey where I thought to myself that I need to either change my gender or stop making films - that’s the point it can bring you to when you are constantly made to work twice as hard as any man in the room to be able to put your opinion forward."

Calling the Shots

To get a deeper sense of gendered hierarchies in India’s content-creating ecosystem, we analysed 135 Director/ CXO positions across the top 25 Media and Entertainment (M&E) companies.

Gender representative policies in the entertainment industry have substantive impacts that extend beyond surface-level diversity. By empowering underrepresented voices and fostering managerial talent, organisations can shape global cultural narratives around empathy, community, and equality. In turn, equal opportunities will lead to authentic storytelling that resonates with audiences, nudging social change, while increasing engagement and loyalty.

CORPORATE talent

A Seat at the Table

female representation
in senior management

Women make up only 13%
of senior management –
a nominal jump from 10%
last year.

With sluggish progress at the top of decision- making bodies, movement along other inclusivity parameters has also suffered – such as women constituting only 12% of all HOD hires in 2022.

ACROSS 25 COMPANIES

CORPORATE policiES

Signed, Sealed, Delivered?

ACCESS TO POLICIES IN PUBLIC DOMAIN (WEBSITE/ BLOGS/ ANNUAL REPORTS)

2022 2023 Gender and diversity policy Anti sexual harrasment policy (in line with the Supreme Court of India guidelines) Equal pay policy Policy on proactive recruitment of women leadership positions Gender sensitive recruitment and retention policies 52% 60% 28% 36% 44% 32% 28% 56% 40% 32% 32% 52% Policy on flexible working options, maternal benefits and childcare

Access to Gender & diversity and
Equal pay policies in the public
domain has increased in 2023,
highlighting stronger commitment
of companies to efforts in this
direction. However, no parameter
has still crossed the 60% mark,
which indicates that there is some
distance still to be covered.

ACROSS 25 COMPANIES

Gender and diversity policy Anti sexual harrasment policy (in line with the Supreme Court of India guidelines) Equal pay policy Policy on proactive recruitment of women in leadership position Gender sensitive recruitment and retention policies 52% 60% 28% 36% 44% 32% 28% 56% 40% 32% 32% 52% Policy on flexible working options, maternal benefits and childcare

From Reels to Reality

pledges taken by the industry

Shakun Batra

FILMMAKER

“I pledge to promote diversity in my projects, to continue collaborating with and supporting intimacy professionals to ensure sets are a safe space for all.”

Nikkhil Advani

PARTNER | Emmay Entertainment

“I pledge to provide separate bathrooms with accessible sanitary products for women on set, to promote diversity in my projects, to include women in writer’s rooms and to follow the Govt. mandated PoSH guidelines and have an ICC within the organisation.”

Supriya Yarlagadda

Producer & Executive Director | Annapurna Studios

“We at Annapurna, are the first studio and production house to establish an ICC in the Telugu film industry. We shall continue our endeavor to promote diversity in our productions and include women in writer's rooms. Our environment is constantly evolving to support more women in the workplace.”

Siddharth Roy Kapur

Founder & MD Roy Kapur Films

“I pledge to continue to promote diversity in my projects, to continue to include women in writer’s rooms and to continue to follow the Govt. mandated PoSH guidelines and have an ICC within the organisation.”

Priya Jhavar

Senior Creative Director, Applause Entertainment

“I pledge to continue to include women in writer’s rooms.”

Supriya Menon

Partner at Prithviraj Productions

“I pledge to continue to promote diversity in my projects, to continue to include women in writer’s rooms and to continue to follow the Govt. mandated PoSH guidelines and have an ICC within the Organisation.”

Shobu Yarlagadda

Producer, Arka Media Works

“I pledge to continue to promote diversity in my projects and to continue to include women in writer’s rooms.”

ALIA BHATT

Actor & Producer

“I pledge to continue to promote diversity in my production projects.”

Vikramaditya Motwane

Director & Producer

“I pledge to promote diversity in my projects.”

Tahira Kashyap Khurrana

Writer, Director & Author

“I pledge to tell women’s stories with a narrative which is unique to them.”

Gayatri and Pushkar

Filmmakers

“We pledge to continue to promote diversity in our projects, to continue to include women in writer’s rooms and to continue to follow the Govt. mandated PoSH guidelines and have an ICC within the Organisation.”

Madhu Bhojwani

Partner, Emmay Entertainment

“I pledge to provide separate bathrooms with accessible sanitary products for women on set, to promote diversity in my projects, to include women in writer’s rooms and to follow the Govt. mandated PoSH guidelines and have an ICC within the organisation.”

Juhi Chaturvedi

Screenwriter

“I pledge to promote diversity in my projects and to include women in writer’s rooms.”

Alankrita Shrivastava

Writer, Director & Producer

“I pledge to promote diversity in my projects and to continue to include women in writer’s rooms.”

APOORVA MEHTA

CEO | DHARMA PRODUCTIONS

“I pledge to continue to promote diversity across all our verticals at Dharma Productions & Dharmatic Entertainment.”

Daggubati Suresh Babu

Producer | Suresh Productions

“I pledge to continue to promote diversity in my projects.”

Monisha Advani

PARTNER | Emmay Entertainment

“I pledge to provide separate bathrooms with accessible sanitary products for women on set, to promote diversity in my projects, to include women in writer’s rooms and to follow the Govt. mandated PoSH guidelines and have an ICC within the organisation.”

Aparna Purohit

Head of Originals, India & Southeast Asia, Prime Video

“I pledge to include women in writer's room and to work towards atleast 30% women HOD's in all of our productions.”

Swati PatnaiK

Creative Director, Applause Entertainment

“I pledge to continue to promote diversity in my projects.”

Sudha Kongara

Director & Screenwriter

“I pledge to ensure that my producers comply with the Govt. mandated PoSH guidelines and have an ICC in place.”

Hansal Mehta

Director

“I pledge to promote diversity in my projects and to include women in writer’s rooms.”

FROM THE ROUNDTABLE:

Alankrita Shrivastava

Writer, Director & Producer

"I think the most proactive thing that we can do is encourage each department head to hire more female assistants. That is the only way that the next generation will have very competent and trained people."

from the roundtable

Alankrita Shrivastava

Writer, Director & Producer

"I think the most proactive thing that we can do is encourage each department head to hire more female assistants. That is the only way that the next generation will have very competent and trained people."

sunitha rangaswami

Independent Consultant - Gender and Women’s Economic Empowerment.

Dear Reader,

Travelling in the hinterland of India earlier this year made me realize there is a new wind blowing – a young generation of women (and men) pushing forward determinedly, shaking the shackles and restraints that bind them, and seizing the day to prove their mettle in the real world running micro-businesses…. They talk animatedly about how their in-laws now consult them on all decisions especially economic and with pride of their young husbands batting for them as they chart their course out of deprivation and inequality…and I wonder if the ‘other India’ (urban, elite, educated, corporate) has caught a whiff of it?

Which brings me to this report…. a year on WHAT is different vis a vis the Indian Entertainment Industry and its performance on gender and diversity? Sadly enough, NO LEAPS and BOUNDS have been made on the gender stakes in the past year. Only inch by inch, step by step change wafting through the boardrooms and ‘behind the scenes’.

I can barely keep my impatience in check, wanting much more than that which emerges in the report. And I catch myself thinking it is not all bad! There is a glimmer of hope in the 2% increase in Women Heads of Department and the 3% increase in senior management. Also, the increase in the share of female HODs from 17% to 22% ‘in content greenlit by women commissioning-in-charge’. Perhaps these women are the vanguard, and year on year they will make room for other women to follow suit. The other piece of good news is, that the streaming films and series (the new kid on the block), are leaving theatricals behind with increases (however minor) in women’s representation. Despite these changes, the content of cinema remains unequivocally gender inequitable with a regression in the properties that passed the Bechdel test!

This report provokes many questions. Why are there no women writers getting past the gatepost? When will women’s stories and narratives get their day in the sun? Perhaps it will get men in board rooms, senior management and commission-in-charge to ask themselves are my criteria inflexible? Am I guilty of inherent male bias? Do I presume women have no good stories to tell or sell? And isn’t it about time entertainment companies bet their money on what women can do on screen and behind the scenes? Or risk getting left behind, as the winds of change march steadily towards a more inclusive world.

End Credits

This report is the result of the tireless efforts of several teams — from conception to execution. We would like to acknowledge the contribution of each member of the O Womaniya! Project.

In time, we hope this study will help move the needle of representation in Indian cinema, creating meaningful protagonists and inclusive platforms for women long hidden in the shadows.

PRIME VIDEO INDIA

  • sonia HURIA
  • Ananta Das
  • Anshul Raj

FILM COMPANION

  • Anupama Chopra
  • Tanvi Ajinkya
  • Akshita Wadhwana
  • Shruti Caulagi
  • Ayush Gupta
  • Megha Srinivasan
  • Juhi Bhojani
  • Akanksha Dubey
  • Rishabh Ramola
  • Spenta Wadia
  • Rajvi Shah

ORMAX MEDIA

  • Shailesh Kapoor
  • Keerat Grewal
  • Amit Bhatia
  • Shreya Ramakrishnan
  • Sounak Kasyapi
  • Dilip Hadawale
  • Nirankar Kudalkar
  • Riddhesh Sadariwala
  • Mahikaa Chhibber
  • Rohan Babu
  • Dvija Mandava
  • Soumya Vats
  • Swayam Kumar
  • Rajat Srivastava
  • Miraya Gupta

EXTERNAL PARTNERS

  • Clean Slate Filmz
  • Emmay Entertainment
  • Excel Entertainment
  • Jio Studios
  • Producers Guild India
  • RSVP
  • SonyLiv
  • Tiger Baby
  • Zee5