Shahana Goswami To Speak On Female Gaze In Cinema At The Hindu Huddle 2025
Award-winning actress joins dialogue on how women filmmakers are reshaping cinematic narratives.
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The Hindu newspaper’s annual intellectual forum, The Hindu Huddle, is set to explore how women filmmakers are transforming global cinema through their distinct perspectives at its 2025 edition. The event, scheduled for May 9-10 in Bengaluru, will feature acclaimed actress Shahana Goswami among other voices discussing “The Female Gaze” in contemporary filmmaking.
A New Lens In Cinema
“Cinema is evolving and so is the lens that shapes it,” announces The Hindu’s promotional post for the upcoming event. The forum aims to examine how women directors and filmmakers are “reframing the narrative from behind the camera” and bringing fresh perspectives to storytelling in film.
The Instagram post invites followers to submit questions for the panelists who will be discussing this cinematic shift. The event will also be streamed live on YouTube for those unable to attend in person.
Shahana Goswami: Bringing Nuanced Perspectives
Shahana Goswami, who will be among the speakers at the event, has recently gained significant recognition for her complex portrayal of characters that defy stereotypical female roles in Indian cinema.
The actress recently won the Best Actress title at the Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong for her performance in “Santosh,” a film written and directed by Sandhya Suri. In the movie, Goswami plays Santosh Saini, a widow who inherits her late husband’s position as a police constable.
In a recent interview with Grazia India, Goswami described her character as refreshingly complex: “Santosh is not your regular heroic character – she’s just another person who is part of the system and who’s trying to figure her way out. She’s not some sort of an oppressed soul who then becomes the victor. She’s fallible. She’s someone you may or may not like in moments, but you’re still somehow empathetic to her as a human being.”
Controversy Surrounding “santosh”
Despite international acclaim, “Santosh” has faced challenges in India. According to recent reports, the film was subject to edits by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). In an interview about the situation, Goswami discussed the decision not to release the film theatrically in India due to these censorship issues.
This controversy adds another layer to the upcoming discussion about the female gaze in cinema, highlighting the challenges women filmmakers and stories centered on complex female characters continue to face in the industry.
Exploring The Female Gaze
The concept of “the female gaze” has gained prominence in film criticism as more women take directorial roles and leadership positions in filmmaking. Unlike the traditional “male gaze” that has dominated cinema for decades, which often objectifies women and presents them through heterosexual male perspectives, the female gaze offers alternative viewpoints and storytelling approaches.
This shift in perspective often results in more nuanced character development, particularly for female characters, and explores themes and experiences that have historically been underrepresented in mainstream cinema.
Challenging Societal Norms
Goswami herself has been vocal about challenging societal norms and expectations. In a recent conversation with Shaili Chopra for SheThePeople, she discussed the stigma surrounding strong-willed independent women and shared candid opinions about relationships, noting how “people often jump into relationships out of habit or loneliness, without asking themselves what they truly want.”
Her perspectives on independence and authentic living align with the themes likely to be explored at The Hindu Huddle discussion on the female gaze in cinema.
Event Details
The Hindu Huddle 2025 will take place on May 9-10 in Bengaluru. The discussion on “The Female Gaze” represents just one segment of this broader forum that typically brings together thought leaders, influencers, and experts across various fields under the theme “India in Dialogue.”
Those interested in the event can follow updates through The Hindu Huddle’s social media accounts and watch the sessions live on YouTube.
For cinema enthusiasts and those interested in the evolving landscape of filmmaking, this conversation promises to offer valuable insights into how women’s perspectives are reshaping global cinema and creating more diverse narratives on screen.
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