People’s mindset still hasn’t changed – Kriti Kharbanda

Having gained recognition through Bollywood films like Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana, 14 Phere, and Housefull 4, Kriti Kharbanda is now gearing up to make a smashing entry into the OTT space with Rana Naidu 2, releasing on Netflix. In a recent conversation with a media house, she opened up candidly about women’s safety on sets, the industry's double standards, and her reasons for stepping into OTT via this web series. Here's what she shared:

"I relate to Aalia Oberoi." When asked why she chose the character Aalia Oberoi for her OTT debut in Rana Naidu 2, Kriti explains that many traits of Aalia resonate with her own life.

“Aalia is trying to make her space in a male-dominated world. She’s talented, passionate, but just because she’s a woman, she has to fight a dual battle.”

Kriti admits that while Aalia may be bolder and more outspoken than her, she still deeply connects with the way Aalia lives her life. “She’s fighting the gender bias that women constantly face. She's extremely talented, but being a woman, it's not easy to earn your place. Though Aalia is braver and more upfront than I am, her ambition and self-love—those are things I relate to deeply. That fire to do what I want to do—I have that too. I’ve never given up, and people can say whatever they want because I’ve come from zero. I’ve faced a lot in my personal life, and there's nothing that can truly break me.”

On mistreatment of women in the film industry

Talking about the mistreatment of women in the film world, Kriti says, “I spent a significant part of my life wondering how this world would ever change. But eventually, I realized if I can’t change the world, I should change myself.”

She recalls how there were moments when she had to attend meetings where she didn’t feel comfortable. At such times, her mother would tell her,
“If you don’t feel respected somewhere, or if someone tries to take advantage of you, just leave the job. Work will always come again.”

Kriti adds, “Things have changed a little. There are guidelines now, several organizations have been formed—but the mentality hasn't really changed. Only the approach has changed, not the intent. Now they do things in such a way that even if you complain, someone will say—‘What’s wrong in this?’ As a woman, I can say that the road is still long.”

On high actor fees

Recently, filmmakers like Karan Johar and Anurag Kashyap criticized actors' hefty fees and large entourages, even blaming this trend for the current poor state of the film industry. Responding to this, Kriti says: “Then don’t cast those actresses! You can’t cast them and then go on to criticize them. If a film works with that cast and their fees, everything is fine for you—but the moment the film fails, it’s easy to shift the blame on someone else.”

She continues, “I believe that actors of my generation are quite mindful of not letting the budget go overboard. And why speak up about these things after the film is done? Say it at the time of signing the film. Why bring it up after a flop, and that too without taking names? That’s not right!”

For your information, Kriti Kharbanda starrer Rana Naidu 2 is releasing tomorrow, June 13, 2025, on Netflix.

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