 "News18 SheShakti 2025: Voices of cinema, sport and music redefine nation-building")
At Lions International presents News18 SheShakti 2025 Delhi edition, India’s premier platform celebrating women shaping the nation’s future, the spotlight turned to sports, cinema, and music. Under the theme, “From Breaking Barriers to Building Bharat,” the conversations revealed that the journey of women today is not just about breaking into male-dominated arenas; it is about building legacies that last.
Cinema became the first arena of reflection. Actor-Entrepreneurs Kriti Sanon and Sanya Malhotra offered two sides of the same truth: equity and authenticity. Kriti pointed out that when women-led stories are given equal budgets and marketing, they prove their power at the box office and beyond. Sanya built on that, reminding us that portraying women with rigour and respect turns cinema into more than entertainment, it becomes an instrument of cultural nation-building.
From reel to real, the discussion shifted to sports, where challenges are tougher but the resolve is just as fierce. Mira Erda, Formula 4 Driver, spoke of carving space in a sport still lacking infrastructure for women. For her, visibility is structural; every time a girl sees a woman on the podium, she sees possibility. Adding to it, Loitongbam Ashalata Devi, Captain of the Indian Women’s Football Team talked about the struggles on the field such as pay inequity, inadequate facilities, and fewer opportunities. She also insisted that perseverance not only sustains individual careers but also pushes the game forward for the next generation.
Bringing these discussions to a powerful conclusion, legendary singer Kavita Krishnamurti Subramaniam shared insights from her years of experience. She emphasised that talent can open opportunities, but humility, discipline, and perseverance lead to lasting achievements. She also talked about the significant role of art in building a nation, as well as help in shaping national identity, preserving memories, and fostering a sense of shared pride.
Together, these voices embodied the spirit of SheShakti 2025: that Bharat’s story is no longer being written from the margins, but at the forefront, by women who are turning barriers into stepping stones and in doing so, building a stronger and more inclusive nation. To explore more stories of women shaping New Bharat, visit https://www.news18features.com/she-shakti-2025/
 "Nepal Gen Z unrest: Bus carrying Indian pilgrims attacked in Kathmandu, belongings looted; several injured")
 "Why was ex-Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro sentenced to 27 years in prison?")
 "Why is China creating a 'nature reserve' in the South China Sea?")
 "On Trump’s orders, US destroys $9.7 mn in contraceptives stored in Belgium: Report")
 "Nepal Gen Z unrest: Bus carrying Indian pilgrims attacked in Kathmandu, belongings looted; several injured")
 "Why was ex-Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro sentenced to 27 years in prison?")
 "Why is China creating a 'nature reserve' in the South China Sea?")
 "On Trump’s orders, US destroys $9.7 mn in contraceptives stored in Belgium: Report")
