Filmmaker Nikkhil Advani shared a startling account of the ingrained misogyny in the film industry during a panel discussion, revealing the limited opportunities available for women in various roles on film sets. Speaking at the O Womaniya panel, an initiative by Prime Video, Film Companion Studios, and Ormax Media, Advani highlighted the systemic biases that continue to define the industry’s hiring practices.
Discussing his recent experience while tabulating budgets for a project, Advani said he was shocked to discover the lack of representation for women in key roles. “In your line items, there are 169 line items, above the line and below the line. Do you know how many are considered relevant jobs for women? Take a guess. Nine. Nine are relevant jobs for women. Everything else is considered unsuitable for women,” he revealed.
The revelation sparked a conversation about the entrenched gender biases, particularly in the hair and makeup departments. Advani shared an anecdote explaining why unions traditionally dictated the gender of professionals in these roles. “I have a great hair-makeup story,” he began, explaining that women are typically assigned as hair stylists (referred to as “hair didi”), while men dominate the makeup field (“makeup dada”). He attributed this division to archaic beliefs about physical contact, saying, “Because when a man touches [the back of a woman’s neck], there are sexual things that are aroused. That’s why there is a hair dada and a makeup didi. The union did not allow this!”
The anecdote left co-panelist Richa Chadha visibly shocked, prompting her to seek clarification. Advani further explained, “You will not be aroused if a woman touches your hair! That’s the logic.” He recalled how hiring a woman makeup artist required navigating union rules and maintaining gender-specific norms on set.
Advani also pointed out how the streaming industry is taking strides toward inclusivity compared to traditional theatrical setups. “There are more intelligent people in the streaming industry. There are more interesting filmmakers, storytellers, writers, and they are thinking about things other than just the box office… But still, this is just tokenism—having 15% women on crews is not enough,” he said.
The panel discussion highlighted the urgent need for systemic reforms to create a more inclusive and equitable work environment in the Indian film industry.