07 March,2026 08:03 AM IST | Mumbai | Amarylisa Gonsalves
Amita Madhvani
We often see how the cinema has evolved when it comes to the treatment and portrayal of women on screen. But what goes on behind the lens in the industry largely remains unknown or neglected. On International Women's Day 2026, mid-day spoke to Amita Madhvani, CEO and co-founder of Ram Madhvani Films, Equinox Films and Equinox Virtual, to understand the role of women off the screens. Excerpts from the interview...
When asked about the lack of women in roles like direction and production, she shares, "I feel that if you want to achieve something, you rise with the challenges, prepare yourself, and then all doors open. The important thing is the first step that any creator takes, and then learns the business operations that they are integral to creating together as a team."
Sharing her personal experience, she added, "On a personal level, I've been fortunate. Growing up with two siblings, a sister and a brother, there was never any comparison or differentiation at home. We were supported equally and encouraged to pursue our ambitions with confidence. That kind of upbringing shapes how you enter the world. You don't see limitations, you see possibilities."
"Professionally too, I've witnessed encouraging progress. Across our various projects, we've worked with women DoPs and seen more women stepping into key crew roles from cinematography to production, makeup, and hair. The presence of women across departments on set is far more visible today than it was years ago. Times are definitely changing, when women are given equal encouragement, opportunity, and trust both personally and professionally, leadership becomes a natural outcome," she added.
Talking of challenges as a woman in a world that's largely considered a man's world, she said, "When I joined Equinox as an intern, I was the only woman at the time. Yet, I never experienced any difference in how work or responsibilities were delegated; it was always equal, performance-driven, and purely merit-based. Roles were defined by capability, not by gender, and that early experience gave me immense confidence in the system."
She went on to add, "Today, as the CEO and Co-Founder of Ram Madhvani Films, Equinox Films, and Equinox Virtual, I'm proud to lead organisations where women hold significant roles across departments from producers and DoPs to key creative and admin positions. Their presence isn't symbolic; it's the natural outcome of a culture built on capability, trust, and performance. I truly believe that when you are confident in what you do and consistently give your best, bias slowly fades away. Over time, good work speaks for itself and naturally earns respect and authority."
She also discussed the ongoing discussions around pay parity and work-life balance in the industry. Talking of pay parity, she says that it is indeed an important conversation in our industry, but "it is one that can be addressed effectively when systems are transparent and structured. At our organisation, we have always focused on evaluating people based on their skills and contributions, rather than on gender. I feel speaking what is needed and walking the talk creates a healthy work environment."
Further addressing the work-life balance debate, the producer believes, "industries evolve when they become more structured and mindful of people's realities. The creative field can be demanding, but that makes planning and discipline even more essential."
She shares how she has personally worked towards it, saying, "From the early days of building our production ecosystem, we have prioritised careful pre-production, including detailed schedules, clear activity plans, and organised call sheets to prevent delays. Our experience with advertising projects under Equinox Films reinforced the importance of planning and staying organised well in advance. I also believe professionalism is a two-way street when actors, producers, and crew respect each other's time and set clear expectations from the start, the entire process runs much more smoothly. With proper planning and coordination, even the most demanding projects can be executed efficiently, without unnecessary delays."
