Actor-filmmaker Konkona Sen Sharma has condemned the fact that women account for only about 3% of film directors in India, labeling the statistic “abysmal” and insisting it cannot be normalized. She has called for a minimum of 50% female representation in direction, stressing that fairness and access, not just economics, should guide the industry.

Konkona Sen Sharma has called out India’s sharp gender imbalance behind the camera, saying the current numbers are unacceptable. Sharma responded to recent data revealing that women directed only 3 percent of Indian films last year. The comments came during a conversation with Variety India about the upcoming Netflix film ‘Accused,’ directed by Anubhuti Kashyap and starring Sharma and Pratibha Ranta.

Anubhuti Kashyap on gender gap in Indian film direction

Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga Kapoor revealed that women helmed just 3 percent of the 2,500 films produced in India last year. Variety India reported the figure while speaking to Konkona Sen Sharma, Anubhuti Kashyap, and Pratibha Ranta about the state of the industry ahead of ‘Accused.’

Kashyap said she has not personally faced direct gender bias in hiring decisions. “I think we are on the right track. In my personal experience, I haven’t seen instances where people weren’t chosen because of their gender — at least not to my knowledge,” she said. She pointed to the country’s long history of patriarchy. “It also has to do with how our country and system have functioned. Patriarchy has been strong for a long time. Women have started entering these professions and spaces much later, and they didn’t receive opportunities earlier.”She added that the numbers are only now beginning to shift. “The numbers are just beginning to grow stronger, and I hope it happens very soon. But I don’t think, at present, it’s because someone is consciously choosing not to pick women.”

Konkona Sen Sharma calls for 50 percent representation

Sharma took a firmer stance. She called the current statistics alarming. “It’s a sad reality. The numbers are very, very small — 3% is abysmal. It should be at least 50%. Anything below that is not acceptable,” she said.She acknowledged some progress but rejected complacency. “Is it better than before? Probably. But that shouldn’t be the benchmark. We must focus on where we need to go. Often, decisions are driven by economics rather than the goal of building a more equitable society and that gets in the way.”Ranta shared how limited visibility shaped her early dreams. “When I was younger, I saw very little female representation. I’m from Shimla, so Mumbai felt very far away. I used to wonder how I would even get there. But now I see so many of my friends stepping out and choosing these professions.”Sharma ended with cautious optimism. “At the end of the day, it’s about representation. We need more women stepping forward and choosing these careers. Let’s hope the next reports are much brighter — much, much brighter.”Konkona Sen Sharma is an acclaimed Indian actor and filmmaker, known for powerful performances and socially driven storytelling, and Anubhuti Kashyap is an Indian film director recognized for character-led narratives and a steadily growing voice in contemporary Hindi cinema, while Pratibha Ranta is a rising Indian actor drawing attention for fresh performances and an emerging presence across films and streaming projects.