Mumbai: Actor Manoj Bajpayee believes women have been gradually taking on leading roles in Hindi cinema, with OTT platforms creating more opportunities for female-led stories. Citing the work of Vidya Balan and Kajol, he said actresses have been carrying films for years, although the shift towards more balanced opportunities has taken time.
His comments come amid a renewed debate about gender equality and financial backing for women-led films. Actor Kriti Sanon recently urged filmmakers to show the same confidence in female-led projects as they do in big-budget male-led productions such as Pathaan and Dhurandhar.
Speaking to IANS, Bajpayee said the trend of actresses taking centre stage was not new. He recalled films featuring Vidya Balan and Kajol as examples of women successfully leading stories.
“The heroine has been coming as a hero for a long time. I remember so many films of Vidya Balan. I remember Kajol’s movies too. It is taking its time, but it’s happening. What is good that is happening. And it has been happening for a long time, right?” he said.
The actor also highlighted how digital streaming platforms have created opportunities for performers and stories that may not always find space in mainstream theatrical cinema.
OTT platforms create opportunities for female-led stories
According to Bajpayee, OTT platforms have made it easier for producers to experiment with stories centred on women. One reason is that projects made for streaming platforms generally involve lower financial commitments than large-scale theatrical productions.
This can make producers more willing to support subjects and characters that may not fit conventional commercial expectations. Female-led narratives, in particular, have found opportunities to reach audiences through films and series released on digital platforms.
Bajpayee also pointed out that OTT has helped several actors who did not receive sufficient opportunities in traditional cinema. Streaming projects have given them more roles, recognition and respect for their work.
The actor observed that these opportunities have also helped performers establish more stable careers. Regular work across films and web series can provide actors with a steady source of income and greater financial comfort.
His comments highlight how the entertainment industry has expanded beyond theatrical releases. While cinema halls continue to be an important platform for major productions, streaming services have created another space for actors, writers and directors to explore different kinds of stories.
For women in particular, this has meant opportunities to play characters with greater narrative importance rather than being limited to supporting roles or conventional romantic tracks.
Vidya Balan and Kajol have led films for years
Bajpayee’s reference to Vidya Balan and Kajol underlines that women-led cinema did not begin with the growth of OTT platforms.
Vidya Balan has been associated with several films in which female characters drive the central narrative. Her performances in projects such as The Dirty Picture and Kahaani demonstrated how actresses could lead commercially successful films built around their characters.
Kajol, too, has played prominent roles in films where her character was central to the story. Her work across different genres has established her as one of Hindi cinema’s recognised performers.
By mentioning both actors, Bajpayee suggested that the industry has been witnessing this change for a long time. However, he acknowledged that progress has been gradual.
The wider issue is not simply whether actresses are getting lead roles, but whether they receive the same scale of production support, promotional investment and financial backing as films led by male stars.
Kriti Sanon calls for equal investment in women-led films
The debate gained fresh attention after Kriti Sanon spoke about the difference in how the film industry approaches male-led and female-led projects.
The actor argued that filmmakers are often willing to invest heavily in male-driven films, making them visually larger and more ambitious. She cited Pathaan and Dhurandhar as examples of big-budget productions designed to attract theatrical audiences.
“When we make a film, which is male-driven, we make it look big. We put in a lot of money in it. It looks larger than life. You want to go into the theatres and watch it. You want to see a Pathaan. You want to see like those big Dhurandhar. You want to see it,” Kriti said.
She urged producers to take similar financial risks when backing stories led by women.
“We should have the guts to back a story which we feel needs a big budget. Whether it is on a female actor or a male actor, put in the same amount of money. If you make a Pathaan or a Dhurandhar with a female actor and put in the same amount of money, the story is so good that it will do well,” she added.
Her remarks focused on the importance of giving women-led projects comparable production budgets and the scale needed to compete with major theatrical releases.
The discussion also raises questions about the industry’s approach to box office expectations. Female-led films are sometimes made with smaller budgets, while male-led productions are given larger financial backing and wider promotional campaigns. This can influence the scale of their releases and the expectations placed on them.
Manoj Bajpayee currently seen in Gajab Raat
Meanwhile, Bajpayee is currently seen in the Netflix thriller Gajab Raat, directed by Ritesh Shah.
The film features an ensemble cast that includes Divya Dutta, Akshay Oberoi, Saqib Saleem, Rajiv Gupta, Shraddha Das, Aditi Sandhya Sharma, Nushrratt Bharuccha and Kiku Sharda.
Bajpayee has built a reputation for choosing varied roles across films and streaming projects. His work on OTT platforms has also been part of the wider shift towards stories that explore different characters and themes.
His latest comments reflect his view that the changing entertainment landscape has opened doors for performers who may not have received similar opportunities in the traditional film industry.
A gradual shift towards greater representation
Bajpayee’s observations and Kriti Sanon’s appeal point to different aspects of the same debate. While OTT platforms have created additional opportunities for women-led narratives, the demand for equal investment in theatrical films remains an important issue.
The examples of Vidya Balan and Kajol show that actresses have been leading films for years. However, the industry still faces questions about whether women receive the same financial support and commercial confidence as their male counterparts.
Streaming platforms have helped broaden the range of stories being told, but the challenge is to ensure that women-led films also receive the budgets, marketing and theatrical reach required to compete on a larger scale.
For Bajpayee, the change is already underway, even if it is taking time. His comments add to the growing conversation about how Hindi cinema can create more space for women, both on screen and behind the scenes.