Women often speak about fighting for equal opportunities, but what happens when they fail to support each other? Recent comments by Upasana Konidela and Radhika Apte have brought this uncomfortable question into focus, particularly in the film industry.
At the fifth anniversary celebrations of Anchor Suma’s Festival for Joys in Hyderabad, Upasana spoke against women who try to climb the ladder of success by pulling others down. She stressed that one woman’s achievement should not come at the cost of another woman’s suffering.
Upasana also pointed out that selfish actions can affect innocent children and urged women to put aside their differences. According to her, humanity and mutual respect matter more than individual victories.
Interestingly, actress Radhika Apte has now raised a similar concern while promoting her upcoming Netflix series Akka, co-starring Keerthy Suresh.
Radhika said women in the film industry do not always support one another. Even women whom someone expects to stand by them may sometimes refuse to offer support. She added that the number of women working on film sets is increasing and that efforts to ensure equal treatment are improving.
Her message was straightforward: women need to learn to stand by other women and help create a healthier working environment.
These comments raise an important issue. Women in cinema have long spoken about unequal opportunities, workplace challenges and casting couch allegations. But improving the situation is not only about demanding better treatment from men. It also requires women in positions of influence to support newcomers and colleagues rather than become obstacles in their path.
Upasana and Radhika have spoken from different spaces, but their central message is similar. Women cannot expect solidarity from others while refusing to practice it themselves.
The real test of women’s empowerment is not just individual success. It is whether that success helps create room for other women to grow, too.
