Bollywood and the word “catfights’ are deeply associated. For a very long time we have been hearing through media that actresses do not make close friends with fellow actresses supposedly due to jealousy and ego clashes.
But recently even the media personalities have noted and even asked actresses why doesn’t one get to hear about cold war between two actresses anymore. And it certainly seems that that era of actress pulling down another actress is gone.
The best example is set by Taapsee Pannu and Bhumi Pednekar. Taapsee was initially supposed to play the lead role in Pati Patni Aur Woh but was later replaced by Bhumi. The replacement however did not affect their camaraderie. They filmed together for Saand Ki Aankh without making any fuss and their sisterly love was palpable even off-screen.
While many believe there was never a period of “catfights” in Bollywood as such and it was all media generated, some do believe that it was rare to two see two female stars being close friends.
Former Miss Universe and actress Lara Dutta also opened up about the subject and admitted that there was a time when women were pulling sown their fellow women and she cited lack of opportunities as the reason.
During a recent interview with Zoom, Lara said, “We went through a phase for the longest time ever where women were other women’s worst enemies. We were our own worst enemies because the opportunities available were so few. So you had women catfighting for the same few opportunities that were there.”
Speaking about the changed scenario, she said,”But today because of the change that is taking place, because more women are speaking up and demanding to be included, that playing field has opened up so much more. So women don’t feel threatened anymore by fellow women vying for a job or trying to achieve something.”
“I think what is fantastic now and which is happening already and needs to happen even more so is that women need to lift other women up. I have always been a women’s woman. I feel the stronger we are the more opportunities we will actually create more opportunity for ourselves. And that needs to get far more momentum than it already has.” she concluded.