Malavika Mohanan Urges More Women Behind the Camera: “We Need More of the Female Gaze”

Actor Malavika Mohanan has spoken about the need for greater female representation behind the camera, saying meaningful progress for women in Indian cinema will come only when more women are writing and directing films.

In a recent interview with Variety India, the actor reflected on the industry’s shortage of female filmmakers, the importance of authentic storytelling from a woman’s perspective, and her hope to see more women-led action films in the future.

“We Need More Female Directors and Writers”

Malavika believes the limited number of women in creative leadership positions directly affects the kinds of roles available to female actors.

Speaking about the industry’s current landscape, she said there are still very few women directing and writing mainstream films.

“The larger reality is that we don’t really have a lot of female directors and writers. Female directors are far and few, just a handful.”

According to the actor, increasing the number of women behind the camera would naturally broaden the range of female characters portrayed on screen and encourage more diverse storytelling.

Dreaming of an Indian ‘Kill Bill’

Malavika also expressed her desire to see Indian cinema embrace female-led action films that move beyond conventional stereotypes.

She believes women filmmakers could bring fresh perspectives to the genre and create memorable action protagonists.

“We need a lot more of the female gaze. The moment we have more female makers, I am sure some of them would write cool action roles as well. And then we can have an Indian ‘Kill Bill’.”

Over the years, Malavika has frequently spoken about her interest in playing physically demanding and layered characters instead of limited “flowerpot” roles that offer little scope for performance.

Why Laapataa Ladies Stood Out

During the conversation, Malavika highlighted Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies as an example of storytelling shaped by a genuine female perspective.

She praised the film for presenting women with authenticity and emotional depth.

“It was just nice to see these lovely female characters directed by a woman through the female gaze.”

The film has been widely appreciated for its nuanced writing and its portrayal of women navigating identity, freedom and societal expectations.

What’s Next for Malavika Mohanan?

Malavika was recently seen in a special cameo appearance in Idhayam Murali, which released on July 10.

She is now preparing for a busy slate of upcoming releases, including:

• Sardar 2 opposite Karthi
• Pocket Novel alongside Vijay Sethupathi

With projects spanning multiple film industries, the actor continues to strengthen her presence as a pan-Indian performer while seeking roles that challenge conventional expectations.

Why Her Remarks Matter

Conversations around diversity in filmmaking have increasingly focused on representation not only in front of the camera but also behind it. Industry observers have often noted that writers, directors and creators play a significant role in shaping how characters are portrayed on screen.

Malavika Mohanan’s comments add to this ongoing discussion by emphasizing that broader participation in creative roles can expand storytelling opportunities and introduce audiences to a wider variety of perspectives and genres.