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It was a glittering evening over wine and cheese at The Park,Parliament Street,where a panel discussion was organised as part of Jet Viva forum by Jet Airways in association with The Indian Express. Actors Shabana Azmi,Lilette Dubey and filmmaker Shyam Bengal were invited to speak on ‘How the Arts,Theater and Movies impact the role of women in society’. The session was moderated by Priyanka Sinha,editor,Screen. Veteran director Shyam Benegal began by talking about the patriarchal society that is always showcased in films,and said,“I think we revel in the idea of a woman as a victim who deserves pity and sympathy. If that is not the case then we are not able to set the cash registers ringing. It is difficult to create a character which is independent.” Actor and activist Azmi,who looked extremely elegant in a fuschia saree and a big silver pendant,added,“Art does not have a direct impact on the society. All it can do is to create a climate of sensitivity for change to occur. However art,at some point,may become a medium of transformation. This is where parallel cinema comes in. It has accorded some level of complexity to a woman’s character. Besides,women are normal people. There’s no need to treat us like devis.” Actor Lilette Dubey compared the different trajectories adopted by film and theatre and said that women enjoyed a freer rein in the latter. “In films,nobody seems to want to break the stereotypes. Our lead female characters are more like decorations. Even if there is a slight change now,it is at a superficial level. However,in theatre the situation is much better because it is not market-driven,” said Dubey. Azmi said that the media too needs to pitch in to change the stereotype. On a question raised by Sinha about the rise of the ‘item’ girl in Indian cinema,Azmi said,“Why does the media have to glorify fashion and nothing else? Today women want to look a certain way because that is what is projected as cool in the media. Even sportswomen have to look a certain way to be photographed,” she said. The panelists concurred on the fact that the need of the time was mature and responsible films,but that the demand had to come from the audience. “The audience can not go scot free. They are the ones who have to make the demand,” said Azmi. Also present at the occasion were JetPrivilage Women members,ranging from entrepreneurs,corporate heads to senior level executives and homemakers.