 "EXCLUSIVE | Jyotika on Netflix’s ‘Dabba Cartel’: ‘The industry is still very regressive when it comes to representing forty plus women’")
Women’s solidarity is very refreshing in Indian cinema now. And we are happy that we got to see a lot of it in 2024 and the trend continues this year too with ‘Dabba Cartel’ soon to be released on Netflix.
In an exclusive interview with Firstpost at the Homegrown Festival, Jyotika talks about the different shades of women characters shown in Netflix’s Dabba Cartel’. It is a great time for cinema, but she still feels that the entertainment industry is still very regressive when it comes to representing forty-plus women.
Edited excerpts from the interview:
Women uplifting another woman, what do you have to say about sisterhood shown in Indian cinema?
I think we all have, I believe it starts with our mothers when we see a strong woman raising another woman. My house help is my biggest support system and enabler, she is actually the lady who takes charge of my home and that’s how I can step out of my house to work. Everyone puts in a lot for all of us to rise.
What do you have to say on inclusivity in cinema, especially ageism in the entertainment industry?
I think the industry is still very regressive when it comes to representing forty-plus women. But very few people are actually breaking through now. My personal favourite is Meryl Streep and look where she is now at this age. It will take us a while, but it has just started and there are so many stories to tell about women.
We have just been in the male-dominated industry for the last twenty years and it’s a beautiful change. I think ‘Dabba Cartel’ particularly has so many women, such different layers to each of the characters. Women from all age groups I am sure will connect to this series, from a teenager to a middle-aged person to an elderly person. Everyone is going to see themselves somewhere in it. This series is going to be a deep dive into issues that we can relate to in some way or the other.
Jyotika, you have been very selective about roles in the last few years, is it a conscious choice?
It’s been a while actually and because of the right choices I have made, I am landing up in films that I like. But I think people are noticing me now because I am doing Hindi cinema. I am loving it because I am doing different kinds of roles. I don’t want to keep repeating the same thing. I am looking for growth and I am getting that from all the languages.
WATCH the trailer of Netflix’s ‘Dabba Cartel’ here:
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