The South film industry has been booming in 2024. From delivering blockbuster films that are making history to making films that hit home, the fans are in love with its stories.

In the O Womaniya! 2024 Roundtable, journalist and film critic Anupama Chopra revealed that the contribution of women on and off screen in the South industries has sadly gone down from 5% to 4% this year.

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The round table featured Ananya Panday, Richa Chadha, Shakun Batra, Nikkhil Advani, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Ishita Moitra and Stuti Ramachandra to share their lived realities.

This year, the South film industry delivered many hits, out of which many were loved nationwide. Despite its rapid growth, why does the industry see a drop in the rate of female inclusion?

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Parvathy Thiruvothu, known for her work in Malayalam and Tamil films, talks about how it is the first time she has seen a relation between the numbers and her lived experience.

She has witnessed a decrease in the number of women in the field. However, she points out that change is coming. She, along with her colleagues, have been finding ways to change things systematically and that the future looks brighter if they keep working.

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Gender roles are quite definite in the film industry even today, with people still believing that women can't do certain things.

The actress also opens up about her experience with the Hema Committee report which addressed the sexual harassment of women in the industry. She talks about how despite this detailed study, there are no solid rules laid down to protect women in the industry.

The conversation also covered the state of women across other industries. There has been an increase in the numbers, but the shift is very minimal. This is largely due to the women's concern for their safety, the lack of equal pay opportunities, and even the lack of proper sanitation or vanity.

For those unfamiliar, O Womaniya! is a one-of-its-kind initiative that talks about gender disparities in the entertainment industry. They talk about enabling change in how women are represented and perceived in the Indian film business.