Indian actress Taapsee Pannu has said that the box-office performance of Alpha had an effect beyond the film itself. She believes that after Alpha did not meet expectations, investor interest in female-led projects took a hit.
Pannu spoke about this while promoting her Netflix film Gandhari. In an interview with Zoom TV, she was asked if she had personally noticed a shift in investor attitudes toward female-led films after Alpha, a movie starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari.
“Yes. Every year it happens,” Pannu said.
The Haseen Dillruba actress explained that when a big film with women in lead roles fails, investors can become cautious. She said conversations with investors often shift toward worries that if a profile female-led film with well-known names didn’t succeed, then other similar films might face the same fate.
“These days female‑driven films are not working. Honestly, if a superstar’s film is not working, then what will happen to other female‑driven films? That is why we will not make films now,” she said.
One Film’s Failure Could Impact Others
Pannu said that the effect can reach projects that have no link at all to the film that did not do well.
“So if you are talking about four or five films in the market, one or two of them get put on hold because someone’s film failed. That is the kind of impact,” she explained.
The actress also talked about the pressure that comes with big-budget films starring women, action films.
According to Pannu, female-led films often face higher expectations when large amounts of money are spent on them. At the same time, male-led films with big budgets do not always receive the same level of scrutiny.
Taapsee Challenges Expectations for Female-Led Films
Pannu questioned whether every expensive male-led film is expected to have a story with multiple layers and nuances.
“The big male-driven film that money is invested in does the big male-driven film always have a storyline? Does the big male-driven film always have layers and nuances?” she asked.
She argued that female-led films can be expected to deliver beyond box‑office expectations once female-led film budgets increase.
“If much money is invested in a female-driven film, there is an expectation that forget 19 or 20 the female-driven film has to deliver 21. The female-driven film cannot go wrong,” she said.
Pannu also said she had experienced the impact directly in her discussions with investors.
“If there is a female-driven flop in a particular year, then the conversations I have with investors change. Investors back out,” she said.
Female-Led Films Typically Receive Smaller Budgets
The actress further pointed out that relatively expensive female‑led films can have budgets that are considerably smaller than those of major male‑driven blockbusters.
The actress compared projects with Dhurandhar, saying that what may be considered a high budget for a female‑led film could still represent only a fraction of the investment made in a major male‑led production.
If a female‑driven film, a relatively higher‑budget female‑driven film, flops, the actress said, and she said “relative” because the budget is not as high as one would expect. If a female‑driven film is compared with the budget of Dhurandhar, it is a fraction of that. If a female‑driven film flops, the entire community gets affected, Pannu said.
A Hit Could Pave the Way for Other Films
Pannu also pointed out what she called the side of how the industry connects when it comes to female-led projects.
She said that when one film does well, it can inspire producers and investors to look into kinds of stories and genres.
“There is also a side. When someone’s film becomes popular suddenly, there are new phone calls. People say, ‘Let’s try this genre. This is working ’” she explained.
She gave horror films as an example. She said that if a horror movie with a lead does well, it can make others take notice.
“Suddenly, if a horror movie is doing well and it is driven by an actor, they call and say, ‘With a female we can make horror. That has worked ’” she added.
Pannu said that the success or failure of one female-led project can affect how many opportunities are available for actresses and filmmakers in the field.
“So it becomes positive for us. Our films get made if that continues. So we are all together. We are all in the boat,” she said.
Meanwhile, Pannu was recently seen in Gandhari, directed by Devashish Makhija and written and produced by Kanika Dhillon. The film also stars Ishwak Singh. Is streaming on Netflix.
