Bhumi Pednekar Calls Decline of Women-Led Films in Mainstream Cinema ‘Heartbreaking’

Actress Bhumi Pednekar has expressed concern over the declining space for women-led stories in mainstream cinema, calling the trend “heartbreaking,” while also acknowledging the opportunities created by digital platforms.

Speaking at the International Film Festival Delhi 2026, Bhumi noted that although theatrical films are increasingly sidelining female-driven narratives, OTT platforms are helping fill that gap with stronger, more meaningful roles for women.

She pointed out that many web series and films on streaming platforms are now centred around female characters, offering depth and agency that is often missing in mainstream releases. However, she admitted it is disappointing to see this shift happening at the cost of big-screen representation.

Bhumi, who made her debut with the unconventional film Dum Laga Ke Haisha, has built a reputation for choosing content-driven cinema. Her filmography includes socially relevant and character-focused projects such as Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, Bala, and Saand Ki Aankh.

Highlighting the evolving landscape, she said that OTT platforms have empowered actresses to take on more layered and bold roles. According to her, women have always shown courage in script selection, and streaming platforms now provide the right ecosystem to support such choices.

Bhumi has consistently taken on unconventional roles, including playing a closeted lesbian in Badhaai Do, and appearing in hard-hitting dramas like Bheed, Afwaah, and Bhakshak.

She was most recently seen in the psychological crime thriller series Daldal, created by Suresh Triveni and directed by Amrit Raj Gupta. Based on Vish Dhamija’s bestselling novel *Bhendi Bazaar*, the series follows DCP Rita Ferreira, a top Mumbai Crime Branch officer investigating a chilling serial killer case.

Through her comments, Bhumi has once again highlighted the ongoing conversation around gender representation in Indian cinema—raising questions about whether mainstream films can reclaim space for powerful women-led storytelling.

With inputs from IANS