At the “We Women Want” event 2024, organized by ITV Network, prominent celebrities such as Raveena Tandon, Esha Gupta, Taapsee Pannu, and Kritika Kamra engaged in an open discussion. Esha Gupta shared her journey of making a name for herself in Bollywood, despite not coming from a film background.
Padma Shri Awardee Raveena Tandon expressed that all women in India are blessed with an innate strength that allows them to achieve whatever they set their minds to; they just need to recognize and tap into this power. She mentioned that as artists, they have two families—one being their personal family and the other being the people who surround them daily, like drivers, hairstylists, and beauticians. She emphasized the responsibility they have to take care of these individuals as well.
Tandon shared an incident where she stood up for her driver, protecting him from a mob and those trying to exploit him for money. She criticized how, in today’s era, people are more focused on recording incidents rather than stepping in to help.
those in need. She believes that with the love and admiration society gives them, artists also have a responsibility to give back—whether it’s standing up for causes like women’s empowerment, child labor, or underprivileged children.
She also praised the younger generation, noting that they possess greater strength than previous ones. Instead of dwelling on their problems, they face challenges head-on, letting go of the past and focusing on the present.
Tandon shared her deep love for the lens and camera, saying that for her, it doesn’t matter whether she’s working on an OTT platform, a movie, or a short film—the craft is what matters most, not the medium. However, she did address the issue of pay parity, noting that the industry is still largely male-dominated when it comes to salaries, with only a few films where women are paid more than men. Esha Gupta, speaking at the event, expressed her deep spiritual connection, saying, “I am very religious, and my strength comes from Lord Shiva, especially his Ardhnareshwar form, which gives me courage.” She emphasized that while hard work and determination are essential for success, there is no single mantra that guarantees it. She also commented on the societal shift, stating, “There was a time when after education, the expectation was to get married and have children, but now things have changed, and society has become more accepting.” Gupta added that she plans to teach her daughter to be self-reliant, stressing that no woman should depend on a man—whether it be her father, brother, or spouse.
Gupta also mentioned her upcoming rom-com project, Pyar Hume Kis Mod Pe Le Aaya, and praised Bobby Deol’s career resurgence thanks to his role in Ashram, directed by Prakash Jha.
Kritika Kamra shared that her strength comes from her upbringing and the way her parents raised her. Reflecting on her journey, she said it began in Delhi when someone asked her to audition, which led to her first role in a daily soap. Initially, her parents were skeptical, but they eventually believed in her. Taapsee Pannu, on the other hand, reflected on the sense of responsibility she feels, knowing that many women look up to her. She mentioned that awards are subjective and that award shows are primarily driven by TRPs, with significant money involved. She considers herself fortunate to star in franchise films like Phir Aayi Haseen Dilruba, where actresses are often replaced in sequels.
Pannu also credited her positive outlook and frequent smiles to her parents, who always supported her and encouraged her to pursue her passions.
She emphasized the importance of even small roles, sharing how her five-minute appearance in Baby led to a spin-off movie, Naam Shabana. Currently, she is working on Gandhari, a mother-daughter revenge story, which she described as a departure from her previous roles. Pannu also spoke about the valuable lessons she’s learned from Shah Rukh Khan’s dedication and how failures have been her best teacher. Films like Pink and Thappad were pivotal in transforming her career.