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Men: 6, Women: 1 | Shortlist of Marathi films at PIFF competition lifts lid on gender problem in Indian filmmaking

Tighee revolves around two sisters and “how families survive through silences, sacrifice, and secrets that, both, save and destroy them”.

3 min readPuneUpdated: Jan 21, 2026 09:50 AM IST

The World Competition section of PIFF has an almost equal number of male and female directors. (Source: Express Photo)

When directors, whose films are in the Marathi Competition of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF), met for the session, “Voices of Tomorrow: Conversations with Today’s Marathi Competition Filmmakers” at PVR, Pavillion Mall, on Tuesday, a missed opportunity emerged like a subtle subtext. Of the seven filmmakers on the dais, only one was a woman. After Jeejivisha Kale, director of Tighee, left the panel early to attend her screening at E-Square, the audience was treated to only the experiences of male directors. Forty films had applied for the competition and seven were selected.

“When we see the all-India picture, how many women filmmakers do we find? The number is rising, but not fast enough. Not many women are coming forward to lead. In a film, the director is a captain. It is girls with guts who become directors. Women have the qualifications; they need a quality of leadership. There are enough women, who can make films, but only if they take control. Women have to control entire teams to make films,” Dr Jabbar Patel, the Festival Director, told The Indian Express after the session.

He added that women are present in large numbers in different capacities across the film industry. They are editors, scriptwriters and camerapersons, among others. “When you are a filmmaker, it is your idea and concept that you put on the big screen. I hope we have more points of view of women,” he said.

He said that it is not possible to explain the skewed gender balance in the Marathi Competition section of PIFF 2026. “I don’t know how many women filmmakers applied for the Marathi Competition section and did not make the cut. When PIFF selected the best films for the competition, there was only one film by a woman director. Next year, maybe, there will be four girls and three boys,” he said.

The World Competition section of PIFF has an almost equal number of male and female directors. He added that, overall, PIFF features a huge number of women filmmakers. “In India, a good thing is that many women professionals are coming out of film schools and communication and media schools,” he said.

“For women filmmakers, the important thing is that they have a kind of feeling of authority in them. Women must have authority, urge and passion. Passion is very important. In cinema, nothing can happen without passion,” added Patel.

Tighee revolves around two sisters and “how families survive through silences, sacrifice, and secrets that, both, save and destroy them”.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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