Mahima Chaudhry prefers to call a spade a spade, and doesn’t shy away from saying it loud and clear that the film industry was not kind to its female actors previously and has evolved now. The actor claims that earlier, it was “far more male dominant” than it is now.

Chaudhry, who began her career with the 1997 film Pardes opposite actor Shah Rukh Khan, notes that back in the day, even the relationship status of a female actor had direct impact on her professional life and the opportunities that came her way.

“The minute you started dating someone, people would write you off because they only wanted a virgin who had not kissed. If you were married, then your career was over, and if you had a child, it was absolutely over. Even a lot of men used to hide [their relationship status] before,” she recalls.

Citing actors Aamir Khan and Govinda, she shares, “Even when Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988) came out, we didn’t know he was married, same for Govinda. People didn’t show their kid’s photographs as that would tell their age!”

Contrasting how things have changed for the better now, the 48-year-old adds, “Earlier, it was either or, but now, you can continue with both. People are accepting women in different kind of roles, even romantic ones after her becoming a mother or wife.”

Happy that female actors are also “calling the shots now”, she says, “They’re getter better parts, better pay, endorsements... they’re at a great and much powerful position.”