Mumbai, October 30, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Actor Manoj Bajpayee believes women have been steadily taking centre stage in mainstream Hindi cinema for years, challenging the perception that Bollywood remains dominated by male protagonists.
During a discussion on the changing role of women in films, Bajpayee cited the work of actresses Vidya Balan and Kajol as examples of how female-led stories have gradually gained space in the industry.
“The heroine has been coming as a hero for a long time. I remember so many films of Vidya Balan. I remember Kajol’s movies too. It is taking its time, but it’s happening. What is good that is happening. And it has been happening for a long time, right?” he said.
The actor noted that the growth of OTT platforms had further increased opportunities for women-led projects, as the financial risks involved were relatively lower than those associated with theatrical productions.
“And with OTT, it’s happening more frequently because the stake is not that high,” Bajpayee said.
He also highlighted how streaming platforms had opened doors for male actors who had struggled to find adequate opportunities and recognition in mainstream cinema.
“Look at the actors who could not even get rightly consumed earlier. Male actors could not even get consumed by mainstream cinema. They are getting so much respect on OTT,” he said.
Bajpayee added that the opportunities had also helped such performers maintain their livelihoods and find greater stability through the roles they were being offered.
Vidya Balan has headlined several women-led films, including The Dirty Picture, Kahaani, No One Killed Jessica, Tumhari Sulu and Sherni. Kajol has also taken on roles centred on complex female characters in projects such as Dushman, Helicopter Eela, The Trial and The Good Wife.
On the professional front, Bajpayee was recently seen in the suspense thriller Gajab Raat, featuring Divya Dutta and directed by Ritesh Shah. The film premiered on Netflix on October 23.
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