Rani Mukerji Declares: No More 'Women-Centric' Label in Cinema

Actor Rani Mukerji has called on the Hindi film industry to move away from the label “women-centric films,” arguing that cinema should be judged solely on the strength of its content rather than the gender of its lead. Speaking to NDTV ahead of the release of Mardaani 3, Mukerji said such categorisation is outdated and no longer reflects how audiences decide what to watch.

In a conversation with NDTV’s Padmaja Joshi, Rani said today’s viewers are driven by trailers, storytelling, and overall appeal, not labels. “Films should be seen as good or bad, interesting or not interesting,” she said, adding that gender-based tagging unnecessarily limits how films are perceived. She suggested that the industry should simply state whether a film has a female protagonist, without turning it into a separate category.

Drawing parallels from everyday professions, Rani noted that society does not use terms such as “female pilot” or “female chef,” and cinema should follow the same logic. She also advocated for the use of the word “actor” irrespective of gender, saying performers should be recognised for their roles and craft rather than being boxed into identity-based labels.

The actor also addressed how age, marriage, and motherhood often influence the roles offered to women in films. Rani rejected the idea that female actors must always be seen as romantic leads, stressing that cinema encompasses far more than romance. She said characters naturally evolve with time, and audiences should be open to that change.

Explaining her return as police officer Shivani Shivaji Roy in Mardaani 3, Rani said the franchise holds deep personal meaning for her. She traced the origins of Mardaani to the public outrage following the 2012 Nirbhaya case, describing the films as an outlet for her anger and grief over crimes against women and children.

Reflecting on women’s safety in India, Rani said the situation has worsened since 2012, making such stories even more relevant today. She emphasised that discomfort is necessary for audiences to confront harsh realities, adding that Mardaani 3 seeks to highlight the inner strength and resilience of women. The film is scheduled to release in cinemas on January 30.