Actress Malavika Mohanan believes the conversation around stronger female characters in Indian cinema must extend beyond casting and performance. According to the actor, meaningful change will come when more women take up creative leadership roles as writers and directors.
In a recent interview with Variety India, Mohanan spoke about the industry’s limited number of female filmmakers, the importance of the female perspective in storytelling, and her desire to headline a high-energy action film inspired by the spirit of Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill.
“We Need More Female Makers”
Mohanan said that one of the biggest reasons women are often offered limited or conventional roles is the shortage of women shaping stories behind the camera.
“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,” she said.
She added that increasing the number of women in creative positions could naturally expand the kinds of stories told in mainstream cinema.
“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’.”
Her comments highlight a broader industry discussion about improving representation not only on screen but also in writing rooms, production offices, and directors’ chairs.
Why the Female Perspective Matters
Mohanan emphasized that women filmmakers often bring different experiences and viewpoints to storytelling, resulting in more layered and authentic female characters.
Rather than focusing only on increasing the number of women in front of the camera, she suggested that lasting progress depends on creating opportunities for women throughout the filmmaking process.
The actor has previously spoken about her preference for roles that give female characters meaningful arcs instead of limiting them to decorative or supporting appearances.
Praise for Laapataa Ladies
As an example of storytelling shaped through a woman’s perspective, Mohanan praised director Kiran Rao’s critically acclaimed film Laapataa Ladies.
She said she appreciated the way the film portrayed its women characters with warmth, depth, and authenticity.
“It was just nice to see these lovely female characters directed by a woman through the female gaze.”
Released in 2024, Laapataa Ladies received widespread acclaim for its writing, performances, and nuanced depiction of women navigating social expectations.
Dreaming of an Indian Action Classic
Mohanan also shared her interest in taking on an action-oriented role that places a woman at the center of the story.
By referencing Kill Bill, she pointed to the possibility of Indian cinema producing large-scale, female-led action films that combine compelling storytelling with powerful protagonists.
While India has seen successful women-led films across several genres, Mohanan believes there is still room for more ambitious action projects created from a female creative perspective.
Busy Line-Up Across Industries
On the professional front, Malavika Mohanan has several major releases in the pipeline.
She will next be seen opposite Karthi in Sardar 2, one of the most anticipated Tamil action sequels. She is also part of Pocket Novel, where she stars alongside Vijay Sethupathi.
With projects spanning multiple film industries, Mohanan continues to strengthen her presence as a pan-Indian actor.
A Wider Industry Conversation
Malavika Mohanan’s remarks add to the ongoing conversation about diversity and representation in Indian filmmaking. As more women enter directing, writing, cinematography, editing, and production, industry observers believe audiences could see a broader range of stories and more complex female protagonists.
For Mohanan, the goal is not simply to increase the number of women on screen but to ensure they have greater influence over the stories being told—a shift she believes could eventually lead to groundbreaking films, including an Indian action epic led by a woman.
