Women producers of Bollywood have taken the Indian film industry by storm, changing the narrative and showcasing stories from a different perspective. Here is our pick of the top 5 female producers who are unstoppable and ready to change the landscape of Indian cinema in 2023.
1. Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti
Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti known for directing, writing and producing young, content driven entertaining films are co-owners of Tiger Baby Films. In 2023, they have an eclectic line-up. ‘Jee Le Zara’, starring Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt, ‘Archies’ featuring Suhana Khan, Khushi Kapoor, Agastya Nanda, Mihir Ahuja, Dot, Yuvraj Menda, and Vedang Raina in key roles, ‘Kho Gaye Hum Kahaan’ starring Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday and Adarsh Gourav and the second instalment ‘Made in Heaven 2’ starring Arjun Mathur and Sobhita Dhulipala, is what we can expect from their stable. Their previous titles were Gully Boy and Made in Heaven, co-produced with Excel Entertainment.
2. Deepshikha Deshmukh
Her strategy ,business acumen and vision have infused new energy into Pooja Entertainment - Known for producing films Coolie No.1 Janwani Janeman, Cutputlli, she leads one of the most prestigious film production house ‘Pooja Entertainment’. Her production house was the first to start the wheels of Bollywood by starting to shoot ‘Bell Bottom’ during the pandemic. She has her kitty full for 2023,with a promising slate that boasts of multiple content driven films with massive production scale. Their line-up includes 'Ganpath' starring Tiger Shroff and Kriti Sanon, coal mine recue film starring Akshay Kumar & Parineeti Chopra ,a comedy drama directed by Mudassar Aziz starring Arjun Kapoor, Rakul and Bhumi Pednekar and the Biggest Action comedy of 2023 Bade Miyan Chote Miyan directed by Ali Abbas Zafar.
3. Ekta Kapoor
She started her career with Television Production and is now a making strides in film production. Her film production company, Balaji Motion Pictures recently launched the critically acclaimed film ‘Freddy’ starring Kartik Aryan. In 2023, they have the sequel ‘Dream Girl 2’ starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Ananya Panday, ‘The Crew’ starring Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Kriti Sanon, untitled film featuring Kareena Kapoor Khan and helmed by Hansal Mehta and ‘KTina’, supposedly a biopic on Ekta Kapoor herself.
4. Rhea Kapoor
She comes from a prominent film family, but has created an identity of her own. She is one of the women producers who has carved a niche for herself in producing slick and entertaining women centric films. After the success of Veere Di Wedding, this young maverick announced her next with a very credible cast in the ‘The Crew’ starring Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Kriti Sanon. This movie is produced by Rhea Kapoor along with Ekta Kapoor (Balaji Motion Pictures) and expected to release in 2023.
5. Guneet Monga
She made her mark with her distinct films. She started her production house Sikhya Entertainment which has produced critically acclaimed movies such as ‘The Lunchbox’, ‘Masaan’, ‘Soorarai Pottru’, ‘Pagglait’ and many more. Guneet Monga is now one of the first producers from India to be inducted into the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. She has ‘Kathal’ headlined by Sanya Malhotra in the pipeline and many other shows to be released in 2023. On the personal front, she recently tied the knot with Sunny Kapoor.