To mark Earth Day, we spoke with Nandita Das — a celebrated actor, director, and outspoken advocate—on how artists and public figures can spark change in society. In this candid conversation, she reflects on the power of storytelling, the responsibility of influence, and why the female gaze matters in cinema. From climate justice to gender equality, she discusses why art and activism aren’t separate worlds, but two sides of the same purpose.
Excerpts from the interview below
Q: For Earth Day, what do you have to say about how celebrities can influence society and raise awareness about climate change and the environment?
A: We all can do our bit—we're all abusing the planet in multiple ways. The more affluent we become, the more we demand from the Earth. Art has always mirrored society, and right now, it’s vital that this mirror reflects the urgency of climate change. Through film, literature, and visual arts, artists can make abstract issues feel personal and immediate. When stories resonate emotionally, they drive people to care and, importantly, to act.
Musicians, artists, and filmmakers can find meaningful opportunities to raise awareness and advocate for a greener world. But our lives must reflect that intent. We need to practice what we preach. If we lead opulent lives, we can’t talk about recycling and reducing carbon footprints. Consuming less, to me, is the one thing we can all do. Learning to differentiate between our needs and wants is crucial.
We can also become mindful consumers. That means questioning the environmental impact of our purchases—from fashion to food. Supporting businesses that prioritise sustainability can shift the market toward more responsible production. A recent study by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) shows that collective consumer behaviour can influence corporate practices. Small changes, when multiplied, create ripple effects that lead to systemic change.
Q: Between art and activism, what do you think is going to change the world?
A: Both are needed—and for me, they come together. My art is my activism. My activism finds expression through my films, writings, talks, and the choices I make in life. I don’t see a distinction between work and life. We often create too many straightjacketed compartments.
Look at Iran—artists there subvert the system through intensely personal films that also speak to larger social issues without being preachy. From grassroots workers to policymakers, we all have a role to play in driving change.
Q: How do you manage to juggle multiple roles as a mother, actor, director, and activist?
A: All women are natural jugglers! I’m an instinct-driven person with many interests, and I enjoy exploring different ways of communicating. Of course, balancing it all is challenging. Women do not need to be superhuman—what we need are equal partners in the juggling act.
Motherhood, especially, has transformed me. It has taught me patience and offered insights into human nature. It’s important for sons to see their mothers living full, meaningful lives—that's how we build respect for gender equality in the next generation.
Q: Do you identify as a feminist?
A: Absolutely. If you believe in equality and equity, then you have to believe in feminism. It’s a necessity. Just as environmentalists exist because the environment is under threat, feminism exists in response to the ongoing injustices faced by women—gender-based violence, discrimination, the denial of fundamental rights. As long as these inequalities persist, feminism will remain essential.
Feminism means different things to different people, and that’s its beauty. I consider myself a humanist first, but I am compelled to be a feminist because of the deep inequalities that still exist. Once women are treated as equals in all aspects of life, feminism will no longer be needed.
A film doesn’t have to be “women-centric” to be feminist. Men have long dictated how both men and women are portrayed on screen. For me, the female gaze is about creating layered, nuanced characters—even in the smallest roles.
My films Manto and Zwigato have male protagonists, but they also reflect the emotional and social struggles of the women in their lives in deeply empathetic ways. Storytelling shouldn’t be confined by gender expectations. I choose to explore complexity over simplicity.
Q: Cinema has long been a powerful force in shaping societal perceptions. In what ways do you think the medium influences how gender is understood, portrayed, and internalised?
A: Cinema is a powerful medium. It can either reinforce stereotypes or challenge them. Unfortunately, mainstream storytelling has largely been shaped by the male gaze, often reducing women to objects instead of portraying them as fully realized human beings.
The female gaze, by contrast, brings depth, empathy, and authenticity—it portrays women with nuance and complexity. In my films Firaaq and Manto, I chose not to show explicit violence, yet the audience deeply feels its impact. That kind of subtle but powerful storytelling comes from a different sensibility.
Q: Tell us about the impact and consequences of the female gaze in cinema, both in your films and in the works of other women filmmakers.
A: The female gaze cannot be boxed into a single style or genre. Films don’t need to be women-centric to be gender sensitive. It’s about representation—depicting women in all their diversity: strong and vulnerable, serious and funny, young and old. Characters shouldn’t be unidimensional.
In my own films, I’ve brought in the female gaze almost subconsciously. Firaaq and Manto are not “about” women, but the way women are portrayed in them has struck a chord with many viewers. Some were disappointed that Manto focused on a male protagonist, or that the film wasn’t "feminine" enough in tone. But others clearly saw the female gaze in how I told those stories.
A male filmmaker might have shown more blood and gore, considering the violent contexts of those films. I chose to focus on the emotional landscapes. Take Manto’s wife, Safia—I didn’t want to ignore the trauma of a woman living with a man whose choices deeply affected her and their children. The empathy for her is as strong as it is for Manto.
As for depicting sexuality, my own experience as a woman and actor plays a role. Female sexuality shouldn’t be about catering to the male fantasy. I’ve seen films where complete nudity doesn’t titillate because the filmmaker’s intent is honest. Then there are others where you can sense voyeurism. While no one can control how viewers interpret a film, the filmmaker’s intent always comes through—and that makes all the difference.
Q: What keeps you hopeful about the future of women in society?
A: Change is inevitable, but the pace of change depends on us. Every act of resistance, every voice that refuses to be silenced, brings us closer to a world where women are treated as equals. We must embody the change we seek—because the future is not something to wait for; it is something we create.
/shethepeople/media/agency_attachments/2024/11/11/2024-11-11t082606806z-shethepeople-black-logo-2000-x-2000-px-1.png){kind=logo}
Follow Us/shethepeople/media/media_files/2025/04/22/YJGr2IHXQOoLQr4JbJLf.jpg)