It’s no secret that the average Tollywood filmmaker is male. While it doesn’t seem like the status quo may change any time soon, it is heartening to see more women filmmakers joining the industry. The change is slow, but provides a glimmer of hope for gender balance in the industry. We caught up with some young women filmmakers who share their triumphs and travails.
“When I started my journey in Tollywood, I was a bit scared because I was the only female assistant director on a set of 150 men. Later, as years passed, I saw many things changing, especially mindsets,” says director Jennifer Alphonse. Her documentary The Take Over bagged the Royal Reel Award at the Canada International Film Festival in 2016. Her upcoming directorial debut is shot in Afghanistan.
Women in the filmmaking business have overcome serious challenges to prove they are capable of producing blockbusters that are entertaining as well as informative. However, the pursuit of greater opportunities still requires sacrifices.
Rao Sesha Sindu
A difficult lifestyle
Producer Priyanka Dutt is a new mother for whom filmmaking is serious business. “It takes days, months, and years of hard work and dedication. The only challenge we face is on the personal front, when we have to take care of the family,” says Priyanka, adding that when she entered the industry, she was aware of the strain of leading such a lifestyle. “The movie business is hard on people and it’s really hard on families,” she adds.
These women say they aren’t looking for any special treatment but want equality.
“Not only do women struggle to be taken seriously as would-be directors of male-driven films, but they also aren’t considered reasonable picks for female-driven dramas, comedies and fantasies. Men are offered the presumption of competence regardless of experience. Women are considered a risk regardless of experience,” rues Nithya Ramesh, who worked as an assistant director (AD) to Ram Gopal Varma in Sarkar 3.
Nithya is directing two feature films — a Telugu-Tamil bilingual and a small-budget Hollywood flick to be shot in the US. Her upcoming horror feature film Never Invite is based on a true incident that took place in Rajasthan.
Jennifer Alphonse
A tough ceiling to break
According to Nithya, women are discouraged from areas like cinematography. She also feels the glass ceiling still exists when it comes to women being “trusted” with bigger budgets.
Rao Sesha Sindhu, who was an AD for Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum and Kumari 21F, feels it’s time to do away with labels.
“Despite proving my mettle, I still struggle to get a producer to fund my film. I feel people don’t take female filmmakers seriously. Even if they like the story, they have doubts about how I will make it,” she says.
Sesha prefers being called an assistant director or director because it provides a level-playing field. “There is nothing like a ‘female’ AD or ‘female’ director,” she maintains.
Sesha, who is planning her directorial debut, believes things have improved as far as the actor’s ego is concerned.
“The crew and other male counterparts have become more professional. My first film as AD had a major star cast of popular comedians and character artistes in the industry. The film had Rana and Nayanthara as the leads while Venkatesh garu and Sameera Reddy were seen in a special song. Talent and creativity know no gender,” she says.
Patty Jenkins directed a big-budget movie like Wonder Woman. Such instances bring new hope. So, can we expect a big change in gender balance in the film industry?
“Definitely. Old heads think in the same way, but the young generation of female filmmakers are breaking new grounds,” says actor/director Akshatha, who is coming up with Sekharam Gari Abbayi, an entertainer. She feels it all depends on ideas and creativity and has nothing to do with gender. Moreover, she feels women filmmakers function differently from their male counterparts.
In conclusion, Nithya says, “Women directors will continue in the independent film arena. When you have a calling, you just keep doing what you’re doing. They may not make it to the bigbudget films, but they still have a voice. And I know most women will use it.”
