Kareena Kapoor Khan’s Crew, Yami Gautam’s Article 370, Laapataa Ladies: How women led movies are the new flavour of Bollywood

It’s time to get optimistic about women’s role in cinema which is no more ornamental. Even if we don’t talk about the box-office record, Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Kriti Sanon’s Crew did brilliantly in terms of numbers with three leading ladies smashing patriarchy. The story of Crew is refreshing, entertaining and a welcome break from biopics and historical films.

Both Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies and Crew spoke about women bonding. The former one is about women who are lost. Laapataa Ladies is being called a comedy of errors and is indeed a delightful watch.  And the latter is about three women air hostesses bonding together for a mission and fighting for their rights. Both don’t shy away from the present social situation, though Laapataa Ladies is set in 2001. I would say rather the thought process of the ladies in the film were far ahead of its time.

Overwhelmed by a bounty of excellence, all three films whether it is Crew, Laapataa Ladies or Article 370 celebrated women. There is not only a shift in the number of movies being made, but also the content talking about women from different walks of life. For ages we have been fed on this adage that ‘women are women’s worst enemy’. But not anymore.

How can we miss the professional bonding that Yami Gautam and Priyamani shared in Article 370 and how PMO officer played by Priyamani helped Zooni Haksar an intelligence field officer played by Yami Gautam in her mission by giving her a chance when menfolk in her team tried to write her off?

Talking about the box-office record, the recently released Crew gave us numbers too. Crew made history with its opening box office numbers of 10.28 Cr. India Net and 20.07 Cr. Gross worldwide on Day 1, Friday, cementing its position as the highest opening day grosser for any female lead film ever in the world. The growth continued with 10.87 Cr. India Net and 21.06 Cr. Gross worldwide on Day 2, Saturday, 11.45 Cr. India Net and 21.40 Cr. Gross worldwide on Sunday, Day 3.

Entering the first week with a bang the film has collected 4.52 Cr. India Net and 8.20 Cr. gross worldwide on its first Monday, Day 4. With this, the film has proved its strong hold at the box office, which speaks volumes of the love film is garnering from the audience.

Crew has been released on the big screen and is winning the hearts of the audience. Having garnered amazing word of mouth, the film has grabbed a strong hold at the box office too. Not just in India, the film is performing well internationally as well. While the film paved the weekend with its raging box office numbers, it has started the first week on a good note. Continuing its rule at the box office, the film earned 4.52 Cr. India Net and 8.20 Cr. gross worldwide on Day 4, which is indeed a strong hold on its first Monday. The total amounted to 70.73 Cr. Worldwide gross.

Crew producer Ektaa Kapoor challenging societal norms

In the history of Indian cinema, there are few who can claim to have revolutionized the industry as boldly as Ektaa Kapoor. Thirteen years ago, she shattered norms and defied expectations by unleashing The Dirty Picture upon audiences—a film that not only defied stereotypes but also rewrote the rules of box office success. Headlined by the talented Vidya Balan, this cinematic masterpiece not only broke records grossing 117 crores, an unheard of collection for this genre, but also paved the way for a new era of female-centric cinema in India.

In an industry where male-dominated narratives reigned supreme, Ektaa Kapoor dared to challenge the status quo. With an astute understanding of audience preferences and an unyielding commitment to storytelling, she transformed the landscape of Indian cinema.  Remember Vidya Balan starrer The Dirty Picture? It  wasn’t just a film; it was a statement—a testament to the power and potential of women in cinema.

But Ektaa Kapoor’s journey didn’t end there. Far from resting on her laurels, she continued to push boundaries and break barriers. Films like Lipstick Under My Burkha and V_eere Di Wedding_ , another blockbuster that grossed 139 crores followed, each pushing the envelope further and cementing Kapoor’s reputation as a maverick producer with an unparalleled vision. When women produce and make films, there is bound to be a change.

Now, with the release of Crew, Ektaa Kapoor once again proved her mettle. In just four days, the film has soared past the 40 crore mark—a testament to Kapoor’s ability to tap into the pulse of the audience and deliver compelling narratives that resonate deeply. What sets Kapoor apart from her peers is not just her Midas touch but her willingness to take risks. She refuses to be confined by the shackles of formulaic cinema, instead opting to tell bold and audacious stories led by women who defy stereotypes and command the screen with their presence.

In an industry where women are often relegated to the sidelines, Ektaa Kapoor has emerged as a beacon of empowerment. Through her films, she challenges societal norms, and celebrates the strength and resilience of women in all their glory. It is indeed a happy situation for women in cinema with many women directors, writers and producers making films both theatrically and on OTT with content that not only celebrates women, but delves deep into their psyche.