Recently, veteran actress Sharmila Tagore, also known as Kareena Kapoor’s mother-in-law, shared her candid thoughts on the latest film ‘Crew’ during a conversation on the YouTube channel Dil Se Kapil Sibal. In an intriguing discussion, Tagore labeled the film’s storyline as ‘absurd’ but simultaneously commended the chemistry and camaraderie amongst the three female leads, which include Kareena Kapoor, Tabu, and Kriti Sanon.
The box-office hit, Crew, directed by Rajesh A Krishnan, also features renowned actors Diljit Dosanjh and Kapil Sharma. It was produced by the collaborative efforts of Balaji Motion Pictures and Anil Kapoor Films & Communication Network. The film found widespread success not just in theaters but on the streaming platform Netflix as well.
During the discussion on Dil Se Kapil Sibal, Sharmila Tagore candidly expressed her views on the film, stating, “It is absurd, of course, beyond belief but there are three women pulling off this adventure. One is landing a plane, one is breaking a safe… doing all kinds of things together and the camaraderie between the three is excellent because they say a woman is a woman’s worst enemy, not so here.”
Tagore’s praise for the film’s leading actresses highlights an underlying message about women’s solidarity, which often goes unrepresented in mainstream media. The portrayal of such a diverse and dynamic relationship amongst women in Crew has been noted as a significant and progressive step in cinematic storytelling.
Industry veteran and actor-producer Anil Kapoor, who has an extensive history of backing women-centric films like “Aisha” and “Veere Di Wedding,” also shared his thoughts on Crew’s success. He noted that one shouldn’t be afraid to produce women-led films out of concern for their performance at the box-office. Kapoor expressed his delight over the film’s exceptional performance, saying, “I’m so happy that ‘Crew’ was such a big success not only in the theatres but even on Netflix. It did fantastic numbers.”
He further elaborated on the importance of continuing to support films that others might hesitate to make, emphasizing the need for diverse and bold storytelling in the industry. “This is the reason why it is important to continue working so that we can do these things, which other people are afraid to do.
. If we have the opportunity to make these films, some will work, some won’t but at least we should try to make these films,” Kapoor stated.
In acknowledging the role of his daughter Rhea Kapoor, who co-produced Crew, Anil Kapoor applauded her for not shying away from presenting women as leading figures in her movies. “Rhea has made films with girls and presented them like leading men. More than 95 percent of the work that she has done has been successful. She is understated, she doesn’t do publicity. There are certain people who are creative and do a lot of innovative things but keep quiet about it. Rhea is one of those people,” he remarked.
Rhea Kapoor’s inclination towards creating films that empower women adds to the ongoing narrative of shifting dynamics in Bollywood. Her contribution to the industry by challenging conventional norms and encouraging stories that showcase women in strong, central roles is being increasingly acknowledged.
The film’s blend of action and strong female leads has struck a chord with audiences, resonating well beyond traditional box-office metrics. The success of Crew can, in part, be attributed to the growing appetite for more nuanced and varied portrayals of women in Indian cinema.
With inputs from various sources, including an in-depth conversation with Anil Kapoor and hints of greater things to come from filmmakers like Rhea Kapoor, the future of women-led films in Bollywood looks brighter. Crew stands as a testament to what can be achieved when talented individuals come together to produce something bold, eccentric, and undeniably successful.
In conclusion, while Sharmila Tagore found the plotline of Crew to be wildly incredulous, her observations about the excellent rapport among the leading ladies underscore a vital aspect of the film: its unique and empowering representation of female relationships. Similarly, Anil Kapoor’s steadfast belief in the value of women-centric narratives ensures that such innovative projects will continue to thrive.
