Rhea Kapoor: To suggest women are difficult is not a good narrative

Asserting that it’s ‘not impossible’ to pull off all-woman films in Bollywood, The Crew maker Rhea says the key was to find novel subject worthy of Tabu, Kareena and Kriti

Last November, a leading fashion magazine’s cover featured The Crew actors Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Kriti Sanon together. That was enough to send the internet into a tizzy. So, one can only imagine the anticipation around the Rhea Kapoor and Ektaa R Kapoor production. Bringing the three actors, each at the top of her game, together signals the industry’s evolution—it has gone from betting big only on male stars to acknowledging the talent and box-office draw of leading ladies.

Ektaa R Kapoor and Rhea Kapoor

But an all-woman film doesn’t come without its challenges. A prime example is the Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt-starrer Jee Le Zaraa, which has yet to go on floors, two years since its announcement. Is it hard to pull off women-centric projects? Rhea says, “It’s not a good narrative to suggest that women are difficult. We had made Veere Di Wedding [to dispel that narrative]. Leading actresses, much like their male counterparts, are busy professionals with multiple commitments. In such cases, two things are paramount—to align them with your creative vision, and then align them logistically. This is where it becomes a task, but [it works out] if you have the right intention with a film and are focused on it.”

Announced in late 2022, Rajesh Krishnan’s directorial venture rolled in November and is now wrapped up. Rhea deems The Crew her most ambitious project to date, and it’s Ektaa and her faith that made it happen. “We didn’t give up, no matter what came our way. We have tried something new with this film in terms of plot, treatment and palette. We couldn’t go to Bebo and Tabu, and offer something that they already have done before, and expect them to hop on board. They have done it all in their careers. Everyone put their heads together and we worked hard to offer them something new. I agree it is not easy [to pull off an all-woman film], that’s why so few of them get made. But it’s not impossible.”

The dramedy’s secret sauce is Diljit Dosanjh, reminds Rhea. “Every time people say there are three forces in the film, I remind them there are four. I can’t be more thankful to him for pushing for it to happen.”

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