Kiran Rao, renowned for her unfiltered candor, recently addressed prevalent issues within the Bollywood industry during a public event. One notable concern she highlighted is the success of films that romanticize stalking as a means of courting women. Citing a report, Rao emphasized the unsettling trend where such movies thrive at the box office. She pointed to the 2019 film “Kabir Singh” as an example, and also drew attention to “Baahubali,” specifically the first installment.
Expressing fascination with “Baahubali: The Beginning,” she recounted an initial dynamic where the female character displayed warrior-like qualities, engaging in an exciting tree-to-tree fight sequence. However, Rao observed a subsequent narrative twist where the male protagonist strips her of agency, reducing her to a romantic interest. Despite her acknowledgment of the film’s vast success, she found the shift in narrative intriguing.
Beyond critiquing film content, Kiran Rao advocated for increased female representation in the film industry, particularly in roles traditionally deemed challenging. Emphasizing that women are more than capable of assuming and excelling in such positions, she argued that their inclusion would contribute to a safer and more nurturing environment for everyone involved.
This recent commentary aligns with Rao’s previous statements in September, where she expressed dissatisfaction with films featuring ‘regressive messaging’ that garner substantial box office revenue. In an interview with Film Companion, she articulated a sense of disappointment when such films succeed, seeing it as a missed opportunity for creators to use their platform to drive positive change.
On the professional front, Kiran Rao has ventured into directing with “Laapataa Ladies,” a film featuring Nitanshi Goel, Chhaya Kadam, and Ravi Kishan. Produced by Aamir Khan, the film received a positive response after its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival this year.
