We Are Just A Story Away

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We Are Just A Story AwayMs. Netflix

Business

08 March 2021

GlobalIndia

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Cop, banker, stand-up comic, homemaker, boss, pilot. A Bombay Begum, Kanta Bai, Vartika Chaturvedi, Dolly, Kitty or A Bollywood Wife. In a sari or overalls. Fabulous, Mismatched or in love. Whatever the story's genre, format, mood, tone or character, I'm all these and much more.

In India Stree' means woman and I see a new era of Stree-ming. From Lust Stories to Paava Kadhaigal, from the two generations of Masaba Masaba to the three generations in Tribhanga - Tedhi Medi Crazy, more stories about and by women are making it to India and the rest of the world.

I m thrilled that Netflix is partnering with the National Film Development Corporation to support a screenwriting course for 100 women in India as part of the company's $5 million global fund towards programs that help identify, train up-and-coming women talent around the world. I want to open the door wider for more stories by, for and about women, so that the women of today can tell the stories of tomorrow Stree-ming on Netflix.

This International Women's Day, the women of Netflix - filmmakers, creators, actors, producers and executives - joined in an important conversation. Hear us firsthand.

Aadhya Anand: With women powered films and series', Netflix is giving wings of hope to young women with big dreams. Women can be the heroes' of a series like Bombay Begums'. It's a huge leap from mainstream representation. Working with an almost all women crew was an inspiring experience in female bonding and sisterhood. It was magic on set. I'm in awe of Pooja ma'am and I want to be like all these women in the future. (And I hope Netflix's next story is a young teenage adventure series.)

Amruta Subhash: I keep sharing my wishes to the universe. When I was younger I used to think ohh when I pass a certain age l want meaningful characters . At that time I didn't know Netflix would happen to India. So grateful to the universe that it did. Services like Netflix are changing the way we look at women's stories. It is vital that women are getting powerful roles, being celebrated as prominent characters. There was a time when after a certain age, women were stereotyped but today you even have the transformation of a male character in a book to a female character in the series. We must celebrate this.Earlier actresses would get a role where they need to dance only when they were very young right? Me getting to dance in Bombay Begums as Lily right now is so amazing! I think this is the best time for actresses who yearn for meaningful work.

Aneesha Baig: Im fortunate to have worked with and been mentored by inspiring women in key positions over the years. The stories we get to tell now are so different from a decade ago. From Shefali Shah and Rasika Dugal in Delhi Crime to Sima Aunty and the conversations she provoked to our Fabulous Wives, and the joys of a sisterhood in your mid-forties, the fun lies in the diverse portrayals of female identity, agency and friendship. Its exciting that ideas, for the most part, no longer need to be pitched as women centric' - and are recognised as good, viable concepts that happen to be female driven.

Ashi Dua: Streaming services have given us wings! They've let us in on the world out there and let the world look in on us. And here are the stories told from a female POV, with female protagonists and female crews. Writing inspiring female characters just flows because we're surrounded by such women in real life, giving us the freedom to write honestly, authentically and yes, the audiences are ready for it.

Ashvini Yardi: The audience is exposed to such diversity of content on digital services and we need to trust their intelligence, discuss every issue straight up - age, gender, female friendship, divorce. Normalise these concepts. The audience resonates and knows it's okay to not be okay. I am so glad that we can do that on the new streaming services.

Ayesha Sood: The work of all kinds of people inspires me - filmmakers, writers, athletes, musicians, editors and more. I want to know how and why people do the things they do and I want representation not just across work but gender too. We must celebrate those who give women their share.

Bhavana Pandey: Central characters, diversity of roles - Netflix is doing the best job at putting these women and their stories on screen. It's done wonders for me, and women like me. I was a video jockey 20 years ago and never thought I'd do a show in my mid 40s. It's been a beautiful comeback to TV. The reach was immense. The love too. Working with our largely female crew was amazing. Aneesha the producer, Naomi the writer, my four friends - working with such strong women, I'm absolutely loving it!

Divya Dutta: Streaming services are very democratic. People can watch a small film, a big film or a series regardless of who is in it or who it is made by. What draws people in is the credibility and authenticity of the storytelling. That sort of reach is amazing and we can't underestimate the power to reach every home.

Dolly Singh: I never saw a true representation of another woman on screen growing up and that really damaged my own idea of what being a woman is about, what female friendships are like, what women's dreams and aspirations should be. Thankfully now that is changing. We are seeking stories which are for women, about women and by women. Netflix definitely is making sure that it pushes out content which does justice to this. Work like Bombay Begums, Moxie, Bhaag Beanie Bhaag, Pitta Kathalu are commendable. I'm instantly happier the moment I see women around me, working with women directors, producers, photographers, DOPs, makeup artists, it gives so muc

LINK:	https://about.netflix.com/en/news/we-are-just-a-story-away...
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