Kareena Kapoor: Directors have come to understand female actors a lot better

2016 marks the 16th year of Kareena Kapoor‘s career in Bollywood. Starting off with ‘Refugee’ opposite Abhishek Bachchan in 2000, her journey has been filled with rises and falls, ups and downs. However, at the end, it’s all worth it!

Kareena is presently busy promoting her upcoming release ‘Ki & Ka’ with her co-star Arjun Kapoor. The R Balki direcrorial brings in a fresh take on gender roles as the film shows a married couple swapping their responsiblities. While the husband takes care of households, the wife works and earns.

Given this context, Kareena was asked how actresses in the industries are perceived. Here’s what the ‘Chameli’ actress answered.

“Directors respect actresses more now. In the ’90s, the industry was very male centric. But, even when I made my debut, with ‘Refugee’ (2000), I had a great role in it,” said Kareena, adding, “Back then, I did films like ‘Chameli’ and ‘Omkara’. Now, with films like ‘Neerja’ doing so well, I think directors have come to understand female actors a lot better. The disparity will remain, but with films like ‘Tanu Weds Manu’ (2011) doing well, I think the pay cheques will also change,” she said.

Kareena herself has been a part of several films which throw light on the secret hardships women often go through. The list includes Anant Balani’s ‘Chameli’ and Madhur Bhandarkar’s ‘Heroine’. Mainstream cinema of course rules Bollywood. However, the number of women-centric films has surely increased. ‘Queen’, ‘Tanu Weds Manu Returns’ and ‘Neerja’ are examples that depiction of women in Bollywood film doesn’t remain run-of-the-mill any more. ‘Ki & Ka’ is hoped to be the latest addition to the list!

The film hits the theatres on April 1, 2016.

Also Read: HERE’S WHY SAIF ALI KHAN AND KAREENA KAPOOR KHAN REJECTED ‘BAADSHAHO’

Ranjini Maitra

Journalist. Writer. Reader. Enthu cutlet. Mood-swing machine. Day dreamer. Sandwiched between ‘live life fully’ and ‘lose some weight’. Mantra of life: Love and love more.