Even as chatter about female actors having it good in showbiz continues, actor Manisha Koirala wishes to see more projects being led by women and tell the story through the female gaze. Koirala, who will be seen in Heeramandi next, says that female actors are beginning to get better roles but there is still a long way to go.

She says, “We are getting meatier roles, but to say that we have reached equal status — that will take a while. It might become a reality in the coming generations.”

The 52-year-old shares, “Even today, women tend to get less important roles, probably because most writers and directors are men, who think from a male perspective. When we have more women writers, directors and technicians (in the industry), this will automatically change.” Koirala was last seen on the big screen in Shehzaada this year.

However, the Sanju (2018) actor doesn’t believe that the audience is bothered if a film is “male-oriented or female-oriented”.

She adds, “They want to be entertained for three hours and forget about anything else. I have been in the film industry for the last 30 years. When I go to see a film, I want to make sure it’s worth my time. Cinema is a medium through which we can add value to society. We can tell many stories through a woman’s gaze rather than consistently through that of a man.”