Bollywood star Alia Bhatt has raised important questions about audience targeting in Indian cinema.
Speaking during a recent interaction, she highlighted the need for more gender-balanced storytelling.
Her remarks have reignited debate on how films are marketed and who they are truly made for.
Actor Alia Bhatt pointed to a growing trend in global cinema where women audiences are playing a major role in driving box office success.
The Gangubai Kathiawadi star referenced films like Barbie and The Devil Wears Prada, suggesting that many successful international films have been strongly supported by female viewers.
She said the current global film landscape is “fascinating,” noting that women have increasingly become a key audience group behind major hits.
Alia Bhatt also questioned how audience demographics are discussed in India’s film industry.
She pointed out that conversations around box office performance often assume that a large portion of moviegoers are male.
According to her, this framing influences how films are planned and marketed for mass appeal.
She said that if films are primarily designed for men, it raises concerns about how women are represented and engaged in mainstream storytelling.
'What happens to women?'
During the discussion, Alia Bhatt asked a direct question about audience inclusion.
“If we are catering just to the men, then what happens to the women?” she said, highlighting the need for broader representation.
She clarified that her argument was not about excluding male audiences, but about avoiding a one-sided approach to storytelling.
Instead, she advocated for films that are “gender-agnostic,” where story and content matter more than targeting a specific demographic.
The actress emphasized the importance of making films that appeal to everyone, rather than focusing on one segment of viewers.
She suggested that storytelling should take priority over audience assumptions based on gender.
Her comments come at a time when discussions around women-led films and diverse representation are gaining momentum in Indian cinema.
Upcoming projects
On the work front, Alia Bhatt will next appear in Alpha alongside Sharvari and Bobby Deol.
She is also working on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War, co-starring Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal.
According to reports, she may also appear in a brief but significant role in Tumbbad 2, though details remain unconfirmed.
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