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IIFA Awards 2025: The press conference, held in Jaipur on March 7, 2025, in the lead-up to the IIFA Awards, focused on "The Journey of Women in Cinema". The event featured discussions from Madhuri Dixit, renowned for her roles in films like Dil, Beta, Dil Toh Pagal Hai, and Murder, and Guneet Monga, producer of films such as Gangs of Wasseypur, The Lunchbox, Masaan, and Pagglait. IIFA’s Vice President, Noreen Khan, also joined the conversation.
Madhuri Dixit’s Thoughts
Madhuri shared her experiences from her 39-year-long career and spoke about how the role of women in cinema has evolved over time. She began by mentioning that during the early years of her career, she worked relentlessly, doing three shifts a day. She added that after her marriage, her life changed, and she now lives the dream life with her husband and children. Despite this, she returned to films because that was her true passion.
On the subject of strong female roles, Madhuri expressed that she has always been drawn to films with powerful female characters, whether it be Dil, Beta, Dil Toh Pagal Hai, Rajka, or even Mrityudand. She mentioned that while many suggested she focus on commercial cinema, she chose to do Mrityudand because it addressed women's empowerment. These roles have continuously motivated her to move forward in her career, with films that always celebrate the strength of women.
Changing Role of Women in Cinema
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Reflecting on the evolution of female roles in the film industry, Madhuri shared how the industry has changed over the years. In her early days, she recalls that on film sets, women were typically limited to co-actresses and hairdressers. There were very few women in other departments. However, today, she is proud to see women in all areas, including cinematography, direction, and production. She also highlighted that having a female director was a rare thing in the past, but now, women directors like Sai Paranjape are an integral part of the industry.
Madhuri emphasized that today’s female characters are no longer relegated to supporting roles; instead, they are taking center stage in films. She expressed happiness that women are now being given opportunities to play strong, diverse roles, signaling a positive shift in the industry.
On Pay Disparity Between Actors
Madhuri also addressed the issue of pay disparity between male and female actors. She noted that there has been significant progress over the years in closing the pay gap, though she acknowledged that there is still more work to be done.
Guneet Monga’s Journey:
Producer Guneet Monga shared her inspiring journey from her early days in Delhi, living in a rented house and dreaming of becoming a film producer, to where she stands now, sharing the stage with one of Bollywood's finest actresses.
Reflecting on the challenges she faced, Guneet talked about how age discrimination was prevalent during her early career. People doubted her ability to attract investment for projects due to her young age, which led her to adopt a more mature appearance by wearing sarees and thick glasses at the age of 26.
During the discussion, Guneet also shared her experiences of struggle and her journey to winning an Oscar, emphasizing the increasing participation of women in Indian cinema. She stated that women’s leadership is no longer confined to acting but extends to producing, directing, and other creative roles. She mentioned that opportunities for women in the industry are increasing, and their contributions are now being more widely recognized.
On this Women’s Day, Guneet beautifully expressed that women often don’t recognize their own boundaries, which is why they dream big and achieve great things. She also acknowledged the men who have supported women in the industry.
Noreen Khan’s Remarks
IIFA’s Vice President, Noreen Khan, spoke about the commitment to promoting women’s contributions to cinema and other fields. Reflecting on IIFA’s 25th anniversary, Noreen shared, “At IIFA, we are committed to celebrating and promoting the contributions of women in cinema and beyond. ‘The Journey of Women in Cinema’ is not just a discussion; it is a movement. By sharing stories of courage, creativity, and leadership, we don’t just celebrate successful women, but also inspire future generations.”
The IIFA Awards 2025 celebrations are kicking off today, March 8, and will continue until Sunday, March 9.
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