At Cannes 2026, Alia Bhatt questions male-centric storytelling in Indian cinema: ‘Why focus on only one gender?’

Actor Alia Bhatt has said that Indian cinema continues to cater largely to male audiences despite women-led films proving to be successful globally over the past few years.

The actor, who is currently attending the Cannes Film Festival, spoke about the need for more inclusive and gender-neutral storytelling during a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India.

According to Alia, discussions around commercial cinema in India often revolve around attracting the “mass audience”, with the assumption that the majority of theatre-going viewers are men. However, she questioned why storytelling should continue to be shaped primarily around one gender.

‘What About Women Viewers?’

Speaking about the changing global film landscape, Alia pointed out that women-centric films have increasingly emerged as major box office successes internationally.

Referring to the Indian film industry, the actor said there is still a strong tendency to believe that films must primarily appeal to male viewers in order to succeed commercially.

She questioned this approach and asked what happens to female audiences when films are designed with only men in mind.

Clarifying her stance, Alia said she was not advocating for films that exclude men, but instead hoped for cinema that remains “gender-agnostic”, where storytelling becomes more important than the gender of the lead actor.

“It shouldn’t matter whether a film stars a man or a woman. The story should matter,” Alia said.

The actor also expressed hope that more women-led theatrical releases would be made in the coming years.

Conversation Around Representation In Cinema

Alia’s remarks come at a time when conversations around representation and female-led narratives continue to gain momentum across film industries worldwide.

While several women-led films from Hollywood have delivered strong box office performances and critical acclaim in recent years, debates around mainstream commercial cinema in India often continue to focus on male-led entertainers and large-scale action franchises.

Her comments also arrive as more actors and filmmakers in India push for broader storytelling choices that move beyond traditional gender expectations.

Alia Bhatt’s Cannes Looks Go Viral

Apart from her comments on cinema, Alia has also been drawing attention online for her fashion appearances at the Cannes Film Festival this year.

For her first appearance at the festival, the actor wore a flowing gown featuring a sweetheart neckline and detailing inspired by the French Riviera aesthetic. Her look quickly generated reactions across social media, with several fans comparing the outfit to a princess-inspired ensemble.

For her second appearance on the red carpet, Alia opted for a peach-toned couture gown with a fitted silhouette, plunging neckline and a dramatic drape styled around her arms.

Photos and videos from both appearances have been widely shared online by fan pages and fashion accounts.

‘Alpha’ To Mark A New Chapter In Spy Universe

On the work front, Alia Bhatt will next be seen in Alpha, which is being positioned as the first women-led film from Yash Raj Films’ Spy Universe.

The upcoming film also features Bobby Deol and Sharvari Wagh in key roles.

The project has already generated significant interest among audiences as the Spy Universe expands with new characters and narratives led by female protagonists.