For the first time, more than half of the biggest box office hits in 2024 featured a female lead or co-lead, marking a significant shift in Hollywood’s casting trends. A report by the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative revealed that 54% of the top 100 films had a central female character, a dramatic increase from 30% in 2023 and just 20% in 2007, when the study first began.
Dr. Stacy L. Smith, founder of the initiative, highlighted the milestone, calling it a breakthrough in gender representation. “This isn’t a sudden financial realisation, but the result of years of advocacy, industry efforts, and diversity initiatives,” she stated.
Among the year’s biggest films leading this change were Wicked starring Cynthia Erivo, and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga with Anya Taylor-Joy. The study also pointed out variations across film studios. Universal Pictures had female leads in nearly 67% of its top films, while Sony Pictures trailed with 38.5%.
A fierce and action-packed look at Furiosa A Mad Max Saga, a major female-led film of 2024Instagram/madmaxsaga
While gender representation has made notable strides, racial diversity in lead roles has declined. Only 25 of the top 100 films in 2024 featured a lead from an underrepresented racial or ethnic background, a drop from 37 films in 2023. No studio matched the U.S. population’s diversity, where people of colour make up 41.6%.
Some studios performed better than others. For instance, Paramount Pictures featured a lead of colour in 33% of its top films, followed by Lionsgate at 27.3% and Universal at 26.7%. In contrast, Warner Bros. had only 11.1%. Dr. Smith pointed out that audiences want to see diverse stories and that studios don’t have to choose between gender and racial representation. “While we’ve reached an important milestone for women, there’s still work to be done to ensure equal opportunities for women of colour,” she added. Despite the progress in female representation, the report makes it clear that Hollywood still has a long way to go in fully reflecting the diversity of its audience.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.