Female Protagonist Shouldn’t Just Be Lamppost Says Ishita Moitra

Ishita Moitra, a prominent screenwriter known for her impactful narratives, passionately advocates for well-rounded female characters in her work sais the female protagonist shouldn’t be like a lamppost, like 80’s and 90’s.

A special panellist discussion was held in Mumbai on Wednesday which spoke about writing strong female characters on screen.

Ishita said, “Whenever I write, the first thing that comes to my mind is female protagonist,” highlighting her focus on complex narratives in projects like The Test Case, Call Me Bae, and Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani.

Moitra emphasizes the need for nuance in all characters, stating, “Regardless of the character being male or female, there should be some nuance; it should not be one-dimensional.” She critiques outdated portrayals of women in cinema, likening them to “lampposts” in a screenplay. She explains, “If your female protagonist is a lamppost, she is just an ornamental part of your screenplay,” advocating for characters whose absence would significantly impact the story.

She elaborates on the evolution of female roles, reflecting on how past characters were often relegated to supporting the male lead. “During the 80s and 90s, female characters were treated like they came into the hero’s life, changed a little bit, then sang a few songs,” she notes. Moitra argues that characters should be “flesh and blood,” encompassing their thoughts, feelings, and opinions for a richer viewing experience.

Addressing the different storytelling mediums, she states, “Television stories, most of them are led by women, on the other hand films are opposite, and OTT is balanced,” acknowledging the diversity offered by platforms like OTT where both female-centric and male-centric stories can coexist.

However, she also recognizes the commercial realities of filmmaking, stressing that the viability of female-led stories often hinges on audience preferences: “It is also about the commercial aspect, whether someone is paying to watch a female protagonist-led story.”

Ishita Moitra's insights and commitment to crafting nuanced characters resonate deeply within the industry, paving the way for a more inclusive and representative narrative landscape in Indian cinema.

Ishita Moitra, a prominent screenwriter known for her impactful narratives, passionately advocates for well-rounded female characters in her work said the female protagonist shouldn’t be like a lamppost, like 80’s and 90’s.

A special panellist discussion was held in Mumbai on Wednesday which spoke about writing strong female characters on screen.

Ishita said, “Whenever I write, the first thing that comes to my mind is the female protagonist,” highlighting her focus on complex narratives in projects like The Test Case, Call Me Bae, and Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani.

Moitra emphasizes the need for nuance in all characters, stating, “Regardless of the character being male or female, there should be some nuance; it should not be one-dimensional.” She critiques outdated portrayals of women in cinema, likening them to “lampposts” in a screenplay. She explains, “If your female protagonist is a lamppost, she is just an ornamental part of your screenplay,” advocating for characters whose absence would significantly impact the story.

She elaborates on the evolution of female roles, reflecting on how past characters were often relegated to supporting the male lead. “During the 80s and 90s, female characters were treated like they came into the hero’s life, changed a little bit, then sang a few songs,” she notes. Moitra argues that characters should be “flesh and blood,” encompassing their thoughts, feelings, and opinions for a richer viewing experience.

Addressing the different storytelling mediums, she states, “Television stories, most of them are led by women, on the other hand films are opposite, and OTT is balanced,” acknowledging the diversity offered by platforms like OTT where both female-centric and male-centric stories can coexist.

However, she also recognizes the commercial realities of filmmaking, stressing that the viability of female-led stories often hinges on audience preferences: “It is also about the commercial aspect, whether someone is paying to watch a female protagonist-led story.”

Ishita Moitra's insights and commitment to crafting nuanced characters resonate deeply within the industry, paving the way for a more inclusive and representative narrative landscape in Indian cinema.