Women rewrite film industry’s old rules

They started young, peaked in their 20s and are now figuring out ways to slow down. “I was married to my computer for five years. In the last year, I have been travelling, and have picked up kalari. I am trying to learn sailing,” said Guneet Monga, the 30-year-old powerhouse producer of acclaimed movies like ‘Lunchbox’ and CEO of AFKPL production house.
Director Nupur Asthana, who made breezy romances like ‘Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge’, wants a longer break after her second film while editor Namrata Rao has figured out ways to switch off after big-budget projects and indie hits like ‘Kahaani’. “I hope to switch off my phone,” said Gitika Aggarwal, a top lawyer to film personalities, at a panel discussion on Tuesday.
According to Sarita Vijayan, curator of the Times Celebrate Bandra festival’s film section and moderator of the session on ‘An Alternate Practice’, these women typify the changing face of the male-dominated industry.
Most of these women started out as eager interns in their late teens and early 20s, braved cuss words and a mostly male presence, and built on their passion to remain adventurous. And being young came with its own set of prejudices. While some like Asthana had a big studio like YRF giving her a break, Monga started from scratch through partnerships with indie directors. Rao managed to do breakout films like ‘Love, Sex Aur Dhoka’.
But their struggles are far from over. They hope the industry moves on from nepotism, and there is change in how films are distributed. “Earlier, I felt that all I need is to make a good film. But I have realized that you have to do the whole hog yourself,” said Monga.