Hansal Mehta lists Triptii Dimri, Ananya Panday as actors who deserve better roles

Hansal Mehta took to X to write a long reflective post about Bollywood needing a reset and called for women actors to lead the change. He named Triptii Dimri, Ananya Panday, Sharvari Wagh, Kani Kusruti, Pratibha Ranta, Medha Shankr and Preeti Panigrahi as actresses who deserve better roles and recognition.

Hansal’s post was a continuation from his last one about male actors who deserve better films. Titling his post as “Hindi Cinema Needs a Reset – Women Leading the Change,” Hansal wrote below, “When I wrote my previous post about emerging male actors, my intention was simple—to illustrate the need for bolder casting choices in Hindi cinema. But, as always, hyperactive voices found a different narrative to latch onto: ‘Where are the female actors?’ That wasn’t the point. The conversation I wanted to start was about talent, investment, and faith in actors who bring depth to the screen—regardless of gender.”

He then went on to list the names of the emerging female actors. “Women in Hindi cinema deserve more recognition—and, more importantly, better roles. So, here’s a list. Not exhaustive, not definitive, but a small selection of female actors who, in recent years, have stood out through their work. This isn’t about box office numbers, social media engagement, or PR-driven stardom. This is about craft, presence, and the ability to break through a system that still prioritises glamour over substance,” he said.

Describing Triptii’s acting in films like Bulbbul and Qala, Hansal said, “She has the potential to break out the way Kangana Ranaut did in her early films—an actor so compelling that she unsettles insecure male stars.”

He praised Munjya actor Sharvari’s screen presence and said, “Whether it’s the quiet intensity she brought to Maharaj or the spark she showed in her debut, she feels like a big star in the making.”

Hansal said that he is looking forward to what Medha, who made her debut with 12^th Fail, does next. “In a film dominated by a male protagonist, she held her ground with a performance full of generosity, warmth, quiet strength, and resilience,” he said, mentioning her performance in the Vikrant Massey starrer.

He further praised Pratibha Ranta’s performance in Laapataa Ladies and said, “She deserves many more opportunities. She has the potential to be one of our most exciting actors, but will the industry let her be?”

According to Hansal, Ananya, who last starred in CTRL and Kho Gaye Hum Kahaan, has been evolving. “She has the tools to transition from a mainstream star to an actor of depth—if she is given the right scripts and if she isn’t swallowed by the trappings of the world she’s grown up in,” he wrote.

Hansal also mentioned Preeti’s presence in Girls Will Be Girls and said, “Her performance was raw, unaffected, and supremely charming. She brings an ease to the screen that makes you forget you’re watching an actor—a rare quality and one to watch.”

Lastly, he described Kani to be an unconventional Bollywood star. “She thrives in roles that demand depth and intelligence, working in films that push boundaries rather than conform to them. If Hindi cinema wants to evolve, actors like her need to be at the forefront,” he wrote.

Hansal further reflected upon the larger problems at play in the industry when it comes to giving work to female actors. He said, “These women have delivered standout performances, the bigger issue remains—where are the stories that put women at the center? Even when women do get lead roles, the industry still questions their ‘box-office viability.’ It’s outdated, lazy, and frankly, insulting to an audience that has repeatedly shown up for well-made female-led films.”

He questioned why female actors don’t get the right scripts compared to male counterparts when they deliver equally compelling performances. “Their filmographies should be overflowing with rich, complex characters, but instead, they are often called upon only when a film needs a strong female lead—while their male counterparts have entire narratives built around them,” he opined.

Hansal added, “These women don’t need just one defining moment; they need a body of work that allows them to showcase their range, to push boundaries, to truly own their space. This has to change. And it’s on audiences, platforms, writers, and directors to drive this shift.”

He ended the post by saying, “My intention was never to make a ‘list’. I hate lists. But here we are, talking about just some of the incredible female talent we have today. The hope is that they—and so many others—finally get the kind of roles that don’t just acknowledge their talent but celebrate it. Because Hindi cinema doesn’t just need new stars. It needs a new way of looking at women on screen.”