Saiyami Kher recalls people telling her how ‘Goomar’ was a refreshing change in the male-dominated world of films.Championing women’s stories in Bollywood
Saiyami Kher has carved a niche for herself in the industry with her choice of projects and performances over the years. On the occasion of Women’s Day 2024, ETimes reached out to the actress for a freewheeling interview in which she reflected on the evolution of the portrayal of women in Bollywood films and advocated for more female-centric narratives. She also offered advice to aspiring actresses, stressing the importance of celebrating women every day, not just on specific occasions like Women’s Day. excerpt…
How do you think the portrayal of women in Bollywood films has evolved over the years and what changes would you like to see in the future?I feel that the Hindi film industry has undergone a huge change in the last few years and I was lucky enough to be a part of this change with my debut film. “Mirja” was about a girl who chooses between two boys. My film ‘Choked’ was about a housewife who works in a bank to support her family, while ‘Goomar’ was about a female athlete who lost her arm. So for me, I was very lucky to be able to take on such a strong role for women. Yes, we are witnessing this change. We’ve seen how cinema has evolved over the years, but the degree of change still feels relatively small, with more women telling women’s stories, and more women’s stories than ever before in cinema. I hope more stories are told without male protagonists. We expect this change to continue even more rapidly.
What challenges do you think women face in the Indian film industry and what steps do you think can be taken to address them?When a female-centered film is made, the budget is quickly cut in half. When a film becomes completely female-centered, producers’ interest wanes. Perhaps studios are hesitant to invest that kind of money because audiences might not be as receptive to such stories. So I feel that one of the challenges when trying to make a film for women is budget constraints.
Can you tell me about a time when you felt empowered while working on a film set?I have special memories that I will never forget. When I was shooting ‘Goomar’, there was a scene that was physically demanding. There were a lot of staff and security guards, and it was a very strict regime. I remember everyone standing there clapping after I made the shot. I feel that when I do a good job, everyone appreciates it, and hearing applause on a movie set is a special feeling. This is one of my most memorable experiences.
How do you think movies influence the formation of societal attitudes towards women and gender equality?I think movies have a great influence. I have always believed that movies have an impact on society as a whole. Film is a very influential medium, so we need to take responsibility when making certain films. After ‘Goomar’, I remember many men and women approached me and said ‘Goomar’ was a refreshing change in the male-dominated world of films. They said their young children, daughters and sons were inspired by the film and watched it many times. They demanded that more films like this be made to inspire people and become better people. I would also like to appear in more such films, because films really influence people.
What advice would you give to aspiring actresses striving to make their mark in Bollywood while staying true to themselves?The only advice I would give to women who want to go into the film industry is that it’s a tough, very cruel place. You are constantly being judged physically and there are still certain perceptions in the industry that need to be broken. But in the end, if you’re here because you love acting, you can survive. Your goals should be important and you need to understand why you are taking action. If you like it, you should join the film industry. Otherwise it can be a very cruel place.
Finally, how do you plan to celebrate International Women’s Day this year and what message do you want to give to your fans and followers?I’m not one to celebrate being a woman on a specific day. I think women should be celebrated every day. We shouldn’t celebrate women on Women’s Day and then treat them badly throughout the year. I feel that this day should remind us that every day is a celebration of women. I just want everyone who follows me to celebrate this and be kind to each other every day, not just on certain days.
How do you think the portrayal of women in Bollywood films has evolved over the years and what changes would you like to see in the future?I feel that the Hindi film industry has undergone a huge change in the last few years and I was lucky enough to be a part of this change with my debut film. “Mirja” was about a girl who chooses between two boys. My film ‘Choked’ was about a housewife who works in a bank to support her family, while ‘Goomar’ was about a female athlete who lost her arm. So for me, I was very lucky to be able to take on such a strong role for women. Yes, we are witnessing this change. We’ve seen how cinema has evolved over the years, but the degree of change still feels relatively small, with more women telling women’s stories, and more women’s stories than ever before in cinema. I hope more stories are told without male protagonists. We expect this change to continue even more rapidly.
What challenges do you think women face in the Indian film industry and what steps do you think can be taken to address them?When a female-centered film is made, the budget is quickly cut in half. When a film becomes completely female-centered, producers’ interest wanes. Perhaps studios are hesitant to invest that kind of money because audiences might not be as receptive to such stories. So I feel that one of the challenges when trying to make a film for women is budget constraints.
Can you tell me about a time when you felt empowered while working on a film set?I have special memories that I will never forget. When I was shooting ‘Goomar’, there was a scene that was physically demanding. There were a lot of staff and security guards, and it was a very strict regime. I remember everyone standing there clapping after I made the shot. I feel that when I do a good job, everyone appreciates it, and hearing applause on a movie set is a special feeling. This is one of my most memorable experiences.
How do you think movies influence the formation of societal attitudes towards women and gender equality?I think movies have a great influence. I have always believed that movies have an impact on society as a whole. Film is a very influential medium, so we need to take responsibility when making certain films. After ‘Goomar’, I remember many men and women approached me and said ‘Goomar’ was a refreshing change in the male-dominated world of films. They said their young children, daughters and sons were inspired by the film and watched it many times. They demanded that more films like this be made to inspire people and become better people. I would also like to appear in more such films, because films really influence people.
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Finally, how do you plan to celebrate International Women’s Day this year and what message do you want to give to your fans and followers?I’m not one to celebrate being a woman on a specific day. I think women should be celebrated every day. We shouldn’t celebrate women on Women’s Day and then treat them badly throughout the year. I feel that this day should remind us that every day is a celebration of women. I just want everyone who follows me to celebrate this and be kind to each other every day, not just on certain days.
