Debate on Women’s Roles in Cinema Is Long Overdue

Following the controversy surrounding the portrayal of Janhvi Kapoor’s character in Peddi, young actress Dimple Hayathi has also joined the growing debate on the representation of women in mainstream cinema.

Without directly naming the film, Dimple pointed out that actresses are often unfairly judged for the roles they play, even though they have little influence on how their characters are written and presented on screen. He welcomed the ongoing debate on social media and described it as a “long overdue” discussion in the film industry.

According to the actress, many women who enter the industry accept the opportunities presented to them as they try to establish their careers. Consequently, he argued that they should not be blamed when their characters lack substance or are reduced to mere elements of showmanship.

Dimple emphasized that the depth and quality of a female character is primarily shaped by the writers and filmmakers behind the project. While actresses often bear the brunt of criticism regarding the portrayal of their roles, the creative choices responsible for those portrayals often escape public scrutiny.

She also observed that female actors are rarely given adequate opportunities to showcase their full acting talents. In contrast, hero-centered films tend to offer male actors more scope, complexity, and freedom in characterization.

Her words add to the ongoing industry-wide debate about the need for stronger, better-written female characters and a more balanced approach to storytelling in commercial cinema.