YRF's spy universe has a woman problem, and it's beyond bikinis

India Today

3 days ago

How YRF's spy universe treats its women. From L-R, Vaani Kapoor in 'War', Kiara Advani in 'War 2', and Deepika Padukone in 'Pathaan' (Photo: Movie stills) YRF's spy universe sidelines women to damsels or domestic roles
All the films in the spy universe so far hardly give any agency to women
From Katrina, Deepika to Kiara and Vaani - women are ornamental, not operational
What is wrong with YRF's spy universe? No, really. It's not just about 'War 2' - though, sure, that's the weakest film in the franchise, but that rant is for another day. Today's agenda: why does this globe-trotting prestige spy franchise have a glaring woman problem? Why are its women either dying, playing damsels in distress, or retreating into domestic bliss the moment they meet their male counterparts on a mission?
We get it - this is the Tiger-Pathaan-Kabir show. But would it hurt the makers to let the women keep some agency? Take Katrina Kaif's Zoya from the 'Tiger' series - the most promising female character they've had so far. We didn't even mind her falling for Salman Khan's Tiger. We even cheered at her bridal-song frolics. But once she tied the knot, she tied her own story shut.
Zoya started as a formidable ISI agent with skills to match Tiger's, but by 'Tiger Zinda Hai', she was busy raising a child off-mission. Sure, she pops back in 'Tiger 3' to help Tiger save the day, but has mostly been kept away in the supporting wife folder while the hero's arc wins the spotlight.
Then there's Vaani Kapoor in 'War'. She didn't even get to play a supporting wife/ girlfriend bit. She turned up, looked stunning in a bikini, and while we were busy appreciating Hrithik Roshan's sharp cheekbones and that Greek God tan, she died - so Kabir's revenge could take centre stage.
Kiara Advani in 'War 2'? A slight upgrade. She does get one tiny action scene as an Air Force officer - but only so she can deliver 'I lost him' and vanish from the plot, while Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR take over. For a decorated officer, her biggest narrative purpose is to be ornamental - in bright co-ords dancing around choicest locations in Europe, to make Hrithik look hotter.
From a medal-receiving ceremony, to the bikini-and-ganji shots in Spain - character development? No. That term you are looking for is character demolition.
Next up: Deepika Padukone. Her turn in 'Pathaan' could have been a turning point - a big-ticket star, an actor with proven skills, the perfect chance to finally write a solid female spy. But what really do we remember of her Rubina from 'Pathaan'? Be honest. Let's say it together: the 'Besharam' stint, and for falling into the villain's trap so that Pathaan can unleash his meaningless, physics-defying stunts - on ice, in water, mid-air and where not!
And no, don't come saying the spy universe is suddenly on a redemption arc by tossing us one women-led film. In 'Alpha', Alia is the main character, so yes, she will command her own space in the story. But that's not the point, is it? The question remains: what has this universe actually done for its women so far?
Didn't Deepika, Kiara, Katrina, and Vaani deserve arcs that went beyond being a prop, a mere device, or a pretty face in a shot steeply focussed on their bare bodies somewhere in Italy? Why is it that the men in this universe get entire franchises, layered backstories, and impossible stunts, while the women get a beach/ pool scene, a bridal gown, or a death to further the hero's pain?
YRF's spy universe is expansive, but can it try expanding beyond the imagination of a teenage boy writing fan-fiction?
What is wrong with YRF's spy universe? No, really. It's not just about 'War 2' - though, sure, that's the weakest film in the franchise, but that rant is for another day. Today's agenda: why does this globe-trotting prestige spy franchise have a glaring woman problem? Why are its women either dying, playing damsels in distress, or retreating into domestic bliss the moment they meet their male counterparts on a mission?
We get it - this is the Tiger-Pathaan-Kabir show. But would it hurt the makers to let the women keep some agency? Take Katrina Kaif's Zoya from the 'Tiger' series - the most promising female character they've had so far. We didn't even mind her falling for Salman Khan's Tiger. We even cheered at her bridal-song frolics. But once she tied the knot, she tied her own story shut.
Zoya started as a formidable ISI agent with skills to match Tiger's, but by 'Tiger Zinda Hai', she was busy raising a child off-mission. Sure, she pops back in 'Tiger 3' to help Tiger save the day, but has mostly been kept away in the supporting wife folder while the hero's arc wins the spotlight.
Then there's Vaani Kapoor in 'War'. She didn't even get to play a supporting wife/ girlfriend bit. She turned up, looked stunning in a bikini, and while we were busy appreciating Hrithik Roshan's sharp cheekbones and that Greek God tan, she died - so Kabir's revenge could take centre stage.
Kiara Advani in 'War 2'? A slight upgrade. She does get one tiny action scene as an Air Force officer - but only so she can deliver 'I lost him' and vanish from the plot, while Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR take over. For a decorated officer, her biggest narrative purpose is to be ornamental - in bright co-ords dancing around choicest locations in Europe, to make Hrithik look hotter.
From a medal-receiving ceremony, to the bikini-and-ganji shots in Spain - character development? No. That term you are looking for is character demolition.
Next up: Deepika Padukone. Her turn in 'Pathaan' could have been a turning point - a big-ticket star, an actor with proven skills, the perfect chance to finally write a solid female spy. But what really do we remember of her Rubina from 'Pathaan'? Be honest. Let's say it together: the 'Besharam' stint, and for falling into the villain's trap so that Pathaan can unleash his meaningless, physics-defying stunts - on ice, in water, mid-air and where not!
And no, don't come saying the spy universe is suddenly on a redemption arc by tossing us one women-led film. In 'Alpha', Alia is the main character, so yes, she will command her own space in the story. But that's not the point, is it? The question remains: what has this universe actually done for its women so far?
Didn't Deepika, Kiara, Katrina, and Vaani deserve arcs that went beyond being a prop, a mere device, or a pretty face in a shot steeply focussed on their bare bodies somewhere in Italy? Why is it that the men in this universe get entire franchises, layered backstories, and impossible stunts, while the women get a beach/ pool scene, a bridal gown, or a death to further the hero's pain?
YRF's spy universe is expansive, but can it try expanding beyond the imagination of a teenage boy writing fan-fiction? Join our WhatsApp Channel