"Feminism Is Almost a Taboo" : Says Indian media executive Ektaa Kapoor

FICCI's Frames Conference: Spotlight on Women's Representation

Mumbai's Frames conference, hosted by FICCI, delved into the evolving landscape of women's representation in the Indian media industry. Aparna Purohit from Amazon Prime Video highlighted strides made but highlighted the long road ahead, citing statistics that reveal a disparity in leadership positions. Ekta Kapoor echoed similar sentiments, noting challenges in promoting stories celebrating womanhood amidst prevailing biases.

Richa Chadha emphasised actionable change, recounting her production's efforts to diversify crews. Aradhana Bhola from Fremantle India highlighted the transformative power of equal representation, citing instances from "Indian Idol." The discussions underscored progress, challenges, and the imperative for continued efforts towards achieving gender parity in Indian media.

The Indian media industry seems to be striding towards achieving gender parity. The  theme was extensively debated at Mumbai's Frames conference, an annual event organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). 

Aparna Purohit's Insights from Amazon Prime Video

Aparna Purohit, the head of India and Southeast Asia originals at Amazon Prime Video, acknowledged the increased presence of women both in front of and behind the camera. She highlighted the transformative role of streaming platforms in democratising opportunities within the industry, offering a more inclusive space for diverse voices to thrive. 

Purohit revealed Prime Video's commitment to gender diversity by mandating the inclusion of at least one woman in every writers' room and striving for a minimum of 30% female representation in departmental leadership roles across all shows. Despite these efforts, Purohit cited sobering statistics from a recent study that illuminated the persistent gender gap in top leadership positions and departmental roles across the Indian media and entertainment landscape, signalling the need for sustained advocacy and action.

Ekta Kapoor's Perspective on Promoting Womanhood

Ektaa R. Kapoor, an Emmy-winning producer known for her work at Balaji Telefilms, echoed Purohit's sentiments, acknowledging the progress achieved while underscoring the ongoing challenges faced by women in the industry. 

Kapoor highlighted the complexities of navigating a predominantly male-centric narrative landscape, where films celebrating womanhood or feminism are often marginalised in favour of more traditional, male-oriented narratives. She lamented the prevailing reluctance to embrace feminist themes, noting the taboo associated with the term "feminism" in contemporary discourse. Kapoor highlighted the need for systemic change and collective action to challenge entrenched biases and create a more inclusive and equitable industry.

Richa Chadha's Production Initiatives

Actor Richa Chadha, who ventured into production with the Sundance-winning "Girls Will Be Girls," also shared insights from her production experience, highlighting efforts to break gender norms and promote inclusivity on set. She recounted initiatives to empower women within the production crew, providing training opportunities and pathways to leadership roles traditionally occupied by men. Chadha's practical example underscored the transformative potential of inclusive practices in reshaping industry norms and fostering a more diverse and representative media landscape.

Aradhana Bhola's Perspective from Fremantle India

Aradhana Bhola, Managing Director of Fremantle India, highlighted the pivotal role of equal representation in driving positive change within the industry. Bhola cited the success of Fremantle India's "Indian Idol" format, where the 2023 season witnessed a balanced gender ratio among the finalists, signalling progress towards greater inclusivity and diversity. She also highlighted the need for sustained efforts to challenge existing power dynamics and promote equal opportunities for all genders within the industry.

Themes Explored at Frames Conference

The discussions at Mumbai's Frames conference illuminated the progress, challenges, and opportunities in advancing gender parity within the Indian media industry.