Nupur Asthana Addresses Gender Disparities in Film Industry

Renowned filmmaker Nupur Asthana drew attention to the pervasive gender disparities that persist in the film industry while speaking at a panel discussion on ‘Breaking the glass ceiling’ at the 10th edition of the India International Foreign Tourism Conclave (IIFTC).  In her remarks, she underscored the challenges faced by women in filmmaking, emphasizing that they often need to invest additional effort in overcoming systemic barriers. Nupur made her debut on Indian television with the 1998 TV series Hip Hip Hurray. She has made youth-oriented films like Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge and Bewakoofiyaan, produced by Yashraj Films, and series such as Four More Shots Please and Modern Love: Mumbai.

Commenting on the situation Nupur said “Every day women in the film industry face an uphill battle. Despite their talent and dedication, they frequently encounter systemic hurdles that require them to put in extra effort to succeed. These challenges are a stark reminder of the need for gender equity in the industry. It is high time that we as an industry should recognize and value the extensive experience of women in the industry, ensuring that they are not overlooked in favor of less-experienced men.

In the panel discussion, the director underscored the urgency of addressing gender disparities in the film industry and advocated for equal opportunities and fair representation for women in filmmaking creating a level playing field for all its members. Dr Bhuvan Lall moderated the panel which also had director Leena Yadav, Director Alankrita Shrivastava, Film Commissioner Zuzana Bielikova of Slovak Film Commission, and Bushra Mahdi, Founder of Red Films. All the filmmakers shared practical suggestions and actionable insights emerging from their past experiences.

The evening was the first day of the 3-day mega film tourism event featuring over 50 international companies from over 20 countries coming to Bollywood, Mumbai to woo Indian filmmakers. The event saw participation from countries including Azerbaijan, South Africa, USA, Spain, Lithuania, Kenya, Canada, France, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Serbia, UK, Australia, Uzbekistan, Bulgaria, Netherlands, and Ukraine to name a few.