My craft lets me stand up for women: Sangeetha Bhat

Actress Sangeetha Bhat says her character in the upcoming film Kamal Sridevi is one that every woman can relate to, either through her own experiences or through stories within her circle. Reflecting on the significance of such roles, she says, “Growing up, I was taught not to speak when male relatives were around, not to question, not to raise my voice. Women, for generations, have been silenced from childhood, and those scars stay with you. Now I am grateful to be in a place where I can speak, where I can use my roles to speak for women who cannot.” In a conversation with us, she talks about how films like Kamal Sridevi highlight female narratives, why women’s stories matter, and how cinema is gradually shifting towards female-led films.‘Some roles can be physically and emotionally taxing’She admits that some characters can be both physically and emotionally draining. “Roles like these don’t just demand your time, they demand your mind and heart too. Physically, it was tough because of certain scenes, but the mental exhaustion was even greater. I researched how I could bring a unique shade to the character, while also finding my own way to switch off once I got home; otherwise, roles like this can really weigh you down.”‘Female-led narratives are finding more space in cinema’The shift towards women-centric storytelling is happening, but Sangeetha feels it’s only the beginning. She tells us that she’s optimistic about the growing space for strong women protagonists. “I feel there is change, even if not a 100%,” she says. “Writers and filmmakers are beginning to give women characters real importance and a proper story arc. When you look at the roles played by Rashmika, Nithya Menen, or Priyamani, you can see that shift. Many women skip films because there’s nothing for them to connect with. The more women-led narratives we have, the more we can bring that audience to the cinema hall.” At the same time, she acknowledges the industry’s biases. “There’s still a notion that a woman cannot draw audiences to theatres on her own. But the change is coming, slowly but surely.‘My recent characters have changed my perception of life’Sangeetha believes every role she plays teaches her something new. “Earlier I did girl-next-door roles, which were lovely in their own way,” she reflects. “But playing characters like Lakshmi in Nakutanti or Sridevi in Kamal Sridevi has completely changed my perception of life. I have become more vocal, more empathetic, and more determined to speak for women who cannot speak for themselves. Every intense character makes me grow, as an actor and as a person.”