In the entertainment industry, heroines find it tough to carve out their own identity and get lasting recognition, more so in a space dominated by male actors.
Female performers struggle to break free from stereotypical roles and get overshadowed by their male counterparts, making it an uphill task.
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Recently at the INWEC event, actress Sushmita Sen spoke about her Bollywood journey and shared the harsh realities many actresses faced in the 90s.
She started her career at 21 and described herself as a “bad actress” initially, learning on the job in an environment where looks and star power mattered more than meaningful female roles.
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Even after being Miss Universe, she got limited and superficial roles, reflecting the industry’s narrow view of women as mere accessories to the male hero’s story.
Her experience is a perfect example of how female characters were shallow, judged more by the number of songs they had or the designer clothes they wore rather than their depth or substance.
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But the narrative changed with the rise of OTT. Sushmita’s comeback with Aarya was a game changer, she got to play complex, layered characters and connect with the audience on a deeper level.
OTT’s focus on strong storytelling has given actresses like her the space to showcase their talent beyond Bollywood’s traditional constraints.
Sushmita Sen’s journey shows how changing platforms and focus on meaningful roles can change the game for actresses and highlights the importance of being resilient in an industry that’s slowly embracing substantial and diverse female characters.
