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Female-led films are no longer a niche, but are enough people watching?

Updated On: 08 March, 2026 04:41 PM IST | Athulya Nambiar

Several female-led films have been released in the past five years. The numbers are enough to not call it a niche anymore. However, are enough people watching and supporting films led by women? On International Women`s Day, we take a look at numbers generated by female led Hindi cinema

Several female-led films have been released in the past five years. The numbers are enough to not call it a niche anymore. However, are enough people watching and supporting films led by women? On International Women`s Day, we take a look at numbers generated by female led Hindi cinema

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Several female-led films have been released in the past five years. The numbers are enough to not call it a niche anymore. However, are enough people watching and supporting films led by women? On International Women`s Day, we take a look at numbers generated by female led Hindi cinema
<p>Alia Bhatt`s Jigra(2024) recorded a modest opening day collection of approximately Rs 4.25 crore to Rs 4.55 crore net in India across all languages on its opening day. The film, directed by Vasan Bala, received a lukewarm start, with the majority of its earnings coming from the Hindi version, and showed low, below-average performance. The film underperformed at the box office with a total worldwide gross of approximately Rs 56.93 crore and an India net collection estimated between Rs 30 crore and Rs 35 crore</p>

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Alia Bhatt`s Jigra(2024) recorded a modest opening day collection of approximately Rs 4.25 crore to Rs 4.55 crore net in India across all languages on its opening day. The film, directed by Vasan Bala, received a lukewarm start, with the majority of its earnings coming from the Hindi version, and showed low, below-average performance. The film underperformed at the box office with a total worldwide gross of approximately Rs 56.93 crore and an India net collection estimated between Rs 30 crore and Rs 35 crore

<p>Kareena Kapoor, Tabu and Kriti Sanon joined forces for a fun heist film titled Crew (2024). The film was loved by the audience and the numbers reflected. The film collected Rs 10.3 crore and collected Rs 90 crore at the Indian box office, making it a hit</p>

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Kareena Kapoor, Tabu and Kriti Sanon joined forces for a fun heist film titled Crew (2024). The film was loved by the audience and the numbers reflected. The film collected Rs 10.3 crore and collected Rs 90 crore at the Indian box office, making it a hit

<p>Mardaani 3 (2026) opened with Rs 4 crore on Friday and saw growth over the weekend, totaling Rs 17.25 crore by the end of its first Sunday. It crossed the Rs 50 crore nett mark in India during its fifth week</p>

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Mardaani 3 (2026) opened with Rs 4 crore on Friday and saw growth over the weekend, totaling Rs 17.25 crore by the end of its first Sunday. It crossed the Rs 50 crore nett mark in India during its fifth week

<p>Shabaash Mithu (2022), a biographical cricket drama starring Taapsee Pannu as cricketer Mithali Raj, was a commercial failure, grossing approximately Rs 2.76&ndash;2.89 crore worldwide during its theatrical run. The film opened with a very low Rs 0.40 crore on day one, finishing with a domestic net collection of roughly Rs 2.31 crore</p>

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Shabaash Mithu (2022), a biographical cricket drama starring Taapsee Pannu as cricketer Mithali Raj, was a commercial failure, grossing approximately Rs 2.76–2.89 crore worldwide during its theatrical run. The film opened with a very low Rs 0.40 crore on day one, finishing with a domestic net collection of roughly Rs 2.31 crore

<p>Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022) marked Alia Bhatt`s first collaboration with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Alia playing a brothel queen was considered an unconventional choice but a gamble that worked. The film opened to Rs 10.5 crore at the domestic box office and collected Rs 129 crore in India at the end of its run, making it a hit</p>

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Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022) marked Alia Bhatt`s first collaboration with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Alia playing a brothel queen was considered an unconventional choice but a gamble that worked. The film opened to Rs 10.5 crore at the domestic box office and collected Rs 129 crore in India at the end of its run, making it a hit

<p>Mili (2022), starring Janhvi Kapoor, was a commercial failure, grossing approximately Rs 2.24 crore net in India and a worldwide gross of around Rs 3.49 crore. The survival thriller, released alongside Phone Bhoot and Double XL, had a very slow start, earning only Rs 35-40 lakh on its opening day</p>

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Mili (2022), starring Janhvi Kapoor, was a commercial failure, grossing approximately Rs 2.24 crore net in India and a worldwide gross of around Rs 3.49 crore. The survival thriller, released alongside Phone Bhoot and Double XL, had a very slow start, earning only Rs 35-40 lakh on its opening day

<p>Kangana Ranaut`s Emergency (2025) has grossed approximately Rs 23.81 crore worldwide, struggling at the box office with an estimated Rs 18.40 crore net in India. Despite a decent start, the film`s collection dipped significantly, with its total failing to overcome a reported budget of around Rs 60 crore</p>

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Kangana Ranaut`s Emergency (2025) has grossed approximately Rs 23.81 crore worldwide, struggling at the box office with an estimated Rs 18.40 crore net in India. Despite a decent start, the film`s collection dipped significantly, with its total failing to overcome a reported budget of around Rs 60 crore

<p>Taapsee Pannu and Kani Kusruti`s Assi (2026) was a hard-hitting film reflecting on the reality of times. Despite, being lauded critically, the film failed to make an impression at the box office</p>

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Taapsee Pannu and Kani Kusruti`s Assi (2026) was a hard-hitting film reflecting on the reality of times. Despite, being lauded critically, the film failed to make an impression at the box office

<p>Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway (2023) earned a worldwide gross of approximately Rs 38.3 crore ($4.6 million), with a net domestic (India) collection of Rs 23.07 crore. Produced on a budget of around Rs 20 crore, the Rani Mukerji-starrer was considered a "semi-hit" and earned praise for Mukerji`s performance.&nbsp; It performed well internationally, becoming the highest-grossing Bollywood film in Norway</p>

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Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway (2023) earned a worldwide gross of approximately Rs 38.3 crore ($4.6 million), with a net domestic (India) collection of Rs 23.07 crore. Produced on a budget of around Rs 20 crore, the Rani Mukerji-starrer was considered a "semi-hit" and earned praise for Mukerji`s performance.  It performed well internationally, becoming the highest-grossing Bollywood film in Norway

<p>Despite a novel plot and theme, Janhit Mein Jaari (2022), starring Nushrratt Bharuccha, had a disappointing run at the box office, grossing approximately Rs 4.11 crore to Rs 5.5 crore worldwide against a budget of around Rs 12 crore. The film, which opened to just Rs 43 lakhs in India, suffered from low occupancy and stiff competition, ultimately resulting in a theatrical loss</p>

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Despite a novel plot and theme, Janhit Mein Jaari (2022), starring Nushrratt Bharuccha, had a disappointing run at the box office, grossing approximately Rs 4.11 crore to Rs 5.5 crore worldwide against a budget of around Rs 12 crore. The film, which opened to just Rs 43 lakhs in India, suffered from low occupancy and stiff competition, ultimately resulting in a theatrical loss

<p>Laapataa Ladies, directed by Kiran Rao, has earned approximately Rs 24.91 crore gross in India and around Rs 27.66 crore worldwide. Made on a reported low budget of Rs 4-5 crore, the film was a profitable, critically acclaimed venture that continued to earn steady revenue through positive word-of-mouth</p>

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Laapataa Ladies, directed by Kiran Rao, has earned approximately Rs 24.91 crore gross in India and around Rs 27.66 crore worldwide. Made on a reported low budget of Rs 4-5 crore, the film was a profitable, critically acclaimed venture that continued to earn steady revenue through positive word-of-mouth

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Global AI leaders join PM Modi in a bid to push for a smarter, inclusive future

Global AI leaders join PM Modi in a bid to push for a smarter, inclusive future

PM Narendra Modi joins hands with Google CEO Sundar Pichai, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and others during the India AI Impact Summit 2026, in New Delhi. PIC/PTI

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