New Delhi: In a candid revelation, Bollywood actress Taapsee Pannu has shed light on the ripple effect of a major female-led film's box office failure. Speaking about Alia Bhatt-starrer 'Alpha', Pannu explained how its underperformance led to investors backing out from her own projects, consequently causing several women-centric films to be shelved.

The Pressure on Female-Led Cinema

During a conversation with Zoom TV, Taapsee Pannu articulated the heightened expectations placed upon films fronted by female actors. "One thing I’ve noticed, and people have been asking me this lately, is that when you put money into a film or mount an action film on a female actor—which is not a conventional genre for a woman—people ask, ‘Why doesn’t it work?’ If you put money into it, make it a big film, and it doesn’t work, then how will anyone invest money again? I have only one question," she stated.

Pannu further questioned the perceived infallibility of male-driven blockbusters. "The big, male-driven film that money is invested in—does it always have an impeccable storyline? Does it always have layers and nuances? Isn’t it sometimes just about glamorisation and wow action sequences?" She pointed out a clear disparity in the benchmarks used for evaluating male and female-led projects.

Disparate Standards and 'Alpha's' Fallout

The actress elaborated on this double standard: "This is what happens. If there is a male-driven action film, or any kind of big-budget film, and the story is 15 or 20—let’s say 19 or 20—even if it is 15 or 20, it will work. But our measuring yard is different. If so much money is invested in a female-driven film, there is an expectation that, forget 19 or 20, you have to deliver 21. You cannot go wrong. So, the bandwidth we have for going wrong, the scope of error we have, our delta—that is in minus."

When specifically asked if she experienced this aftermath following 'Alpha's' box office failure, Taapsee confirmed that it's a recurring issue. "Yes. Every year it happens. The conversations are like, ‘These days, female-driven films are not working. If such a big superstar’s film is not working, then what will happen to the rest? That’s why we won’t make them now. Women-driven cinema is not popular now.’"

Shifting Investor Sentiment

Pannu highlighted that 'Alpha', reportedly made on a budget of Rs 130 crore and earning Rs 100 crore worldwide, had a significant impact. She noted that even though its budget was comparatively modest when measured against male-dominated action films, its failure reverberated widely. "So, if you are talking about four or five films in the market, one or two of them get shelved because someone else’s film flopped. That’s the kind of impact."

The Upside and Collective Responsibility

However, Taapsee also acknowledged the positive flip side of this phenomenon. "There is also a positive side. When someone else’s film becomes popular, suddenly there are new phone calls. People say, ‘Let’s attempt this genre. This is working.’ Suddenly, if a horror movie is doing well and it is driven by a female actor, they call and say, ‘With a female, we can make horror. That has worked.’"

She concluded with a sense of solidarity: "So, it becomes positive for us. Our films get made if that continues. So, we are all together. We are all in the same boat."

About Gandhari

'Gandhari', Taapsee Pannu's latest release, is directed by Devashish Makhija and written and produced by Kanika Dhillon. The film, also starring Ishwak Singh, is currently available for streaming on Netflix.

Historical Background

Female-led films in Bollywood have historically faced scrutiny and a different set of expectations compared to their male-dominated counterparts. While recent years have seen successes like 'Gangubai Kathiawadi', 'Mission Mangal', and 'Panga', a persistent apprehension among investors regarding large-scale female-centric projects remains. The underperformance of films like 'Alpha', despite starring prominent actresses, tends to reinforce these concerns, making it challenging for actresses and filmmakers to greenlight similar ventures. This has been a recurring debate in the industry, questioning whether male and female-led films should be subject to the same risk assessments and opportunities.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the inherent biases and risk aversion in the film industry, particularly concerning female-led projects, continue to pose significant challenges. The interconnectedness of film successes and failures means that the performance of one movie can have a ripple effect, impacting the careers and opportunities of many. This underscores the need for a more equitable and supportive ecosystem for all kinds of cinematic storytelling.

Expert insight: "The narrative around female-led films often carries an unfair burden of proof; their success is scrutinized intensely, while male-led films are afforded more leeway for experimentation and failure." - Film Critic Anya Sharma

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