Patralekhaa On Industry Shift: ‘Women No Longer Stand Behind The Hero'
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Patralekhaa was last seen in Phule alongside Pratik Gandhi. She portrayed Savitribai Phule in the film.
Like any other sector, India's entertainment industry has also evolved. With fresh talent coming in, stronger stories being shared, and more meaningful roles for women, the industry has transformed. And Patralekhaa truly agrees.
Once a male-dominated field, the entertainment industry has seen a noticeable shift, and Patralekhaa believes things have truly changed with time. In an interview with Zoom, she said, 'Such good parts are being written for women. You're just not standing like a post behind the hero. With platforms coming in, so much content being made, I feel women are getting better roles."
This statement comes after the theatrical release of her film Phule last month, in which she stars alongside Pratik Gandhi. The film sees Patralekhaa portray Savitribai Phule, a social reformer who played an important role in challenging caste and gender norms in 19th-century India.
Further elaborating on the changing landscape in the industry, the 35-year-old actress recalled her last released film Phule and highlighted, 'Pratik and I had equal parts in the film."
She added that the position of women in society is steadily improving. Patralekhaa believes women today are more confident and assertive, ensuring that if something is deemed right for their male counterparts, it is equally right for them too.
When asked if she feels she has received her due in the industry, Patralekhaa told the portal, 'I don't know whether I got my due or not, that I'll never be able to say. But to be offered a film like Phule is a very big achievement in itself. I don't have any regrets. I'm really happy with the work that comes my way, bit or small that's irrelevant. I just want to work with good makers and good scripts."
Phule was released on April 25, 2025, after undergoing several changes and facing challenges from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) before finally reaching audiences.
Patralekhaa made her acting debut with the critically acclaimed 2014 film CityLights and her performance received widespread praise. She starred opposite her now-husband, actor Rajkummar Rao. In 2017, she ventured into the OTT space with Bose: Dead/Alive. Before Phule, she appeared in Anubhav Sinha's web series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack.
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