New Delhi: From charting careers across multiple languages to challenging stereotypes on and off screen, some of India’s most celebrated women in film and television came together at the NewsX We Women Want Conclave 2025 to share stories of style, resilience, reinvention, and social impact.
The day saw Shabana Azmi, Malavika Mohanan, Ekta Kapoor, Sunny Leone, Nimrat Kaur, Surveen Chawla, and Neha Dhupia take the stage, offering candid reflections on their craft, personal journeys, and the evolving entertainment landscape.
Veteran actor and social activist Shabana Azmi, honored with the Shakti Award for Excellence in Entertainment, reflected on her five-decade career, the evolving role of women in Indian cinema, and her belief in art as a tool for social change. Crediting her father, poet Kaifi Azmi, for shaping her artistic purpose, she spoke of rejecting patriarchal roles, noted the rise of nuanced female characters, and shared details of her upcoming project, Masoom: Second Generation. Adding a lighter moment, she recalled sharing a samosa with Nelson Mandela and named invisibility as her dream superpower.
Malavika Mohanan, recipient of the Shakti Award for Excellence in Style, spoke about her fashion philosophy rooted in Indian textiles, social media as a “modern-day portfolio,” and the resilience built after early trolling. Ekta Kapoor, awarded for Excellence in Entertainment, discussed creating mass-impact TV, reviving Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi with relevant themes, and the power of authenticity over image-building.
Sunny Leone, honored for Excellence in Powerful Performances, shared her journey of reclaiming the narrative on objectification, motherhood through adoption and surrogacy, and entrepreneurship. Nimrat Kaur, recipient of the Excellence in Acting award, spoke about her army upbringing, pressures of public life, and balancing Indian and international projects. Surveen Chawla, recognized for Power-Packed Performances, traced her shift from TV to cinema, overcoming typecasting, and prioritizing mental health. Neha Dhupia, celebrated for advocacy and entertainment, highlighted her maternal health initiative Freedom to Feed and the importance of women supporting one another.
Peppered with rapid-fire moments—from style mantras to dream superpowers—the sessions reinforced a common thread: in an industry that demands adaptability, these women continue to carve spaces on their own terms, using their influence to drive change both on and off screen.
