At Deadline’s panel with Red Sea Film Festival, Jacqueline Fernandez lit up the conversation with a powerful perspective on the shifting landscape for women in Indian cinema. The Bollywood star, known for her dynamic roles and infectious energy, opened up about how the industry is finally embracing women beyond stereotypes and it’s long overdue.
“In India and in Bollywood, there’s been an amazing change,” Jacqueline shared. “It’s no longer about fitting a cookie-cutter idea of what an actress should be or the kind of roles she’s allowed to play based on her age or looks.”
According to Jacqueline, the narrative is transforming. Women are not only leading from the front. They’re owning the screen with layered, compelling characters across genres and generations. “Women of all age groups are getting fantastic roles. Stories are being written for them. The variety has exploded,” she said, visibly excited about the evolving creative space.
She also tackled a long-standing industry concern—relevance. “Of course, there’s still that pressure. As we grow older, the question always comes up: how do we stay relevant? But now, we’re seeing amazing actresses breaking that mindset. They’re leading the way and showing us that there is no limit.”
For Jacqueline, this shift isn’t just professional, it’s personal and powerful. “This is your passion. This is your dream. And there’s no expiry date on that.”
And in a final note that resonated beyond borders, she reminded us of the heart of cinema: storytelling without boundaries. “Everyone has a story to tell, no matter what race, religion, or background. And now, we’re finally being able to tell those stories in a much more free and fearless way.”
