iWorld
Prime Video’s Maitri: Female First Collective dives deeper into the female gaze in storytelling
Mumbai – Prime Video, India’s most loved entertainment destination, has released the latest session of Maitri: Female First Collective, which highlights the significance of female gaze in Indian content. The ‘female gaze’ in entertainment refers to storytelling that centers on women, driven by their inner worlds and motivations rather than by men. It emphasizes female agency and perspectives, focusing on how women view the world and make decisions. Maitri: Female First Collective is an endeavour to create a safe space where women from the Indian media and entertainment industry can come together to discuss their experiences, challenges and successes, and offer their perspective on bringing about a positive shift.
The session featured seven eminent women from India’s media and entertainment industry, ranging from actors Ananya Panday and Kritika Kamra, to women who have left an indelible mark behind the camera, like screenwriter & creator, Ishita Moitra, director & writer Tanuja Chandra, director & editor Namrata Rao, and Faye D’Souza, journalist and founder & editor, Beatroot News, in addition to Smriti Kiran, creator & curator, Maitri and founder, Polka Dots LightBox, who moderated the session.
Watch the latest session of Maitri: Female First Collective here –
The participants shared personal anecdotes on how the female gaze is imperative to changing the narratives, leading to richer and more complex portrayals on screen. Actor Ananya Panday spoke about her evolving approach to selecting the stories she wants to be a part of, stating, “Over time, I have become much more vocal about what I stand for. I know I can contribute and ask for changes when something doesn’t align with my beliefs. Today, I choose projects that portray real, flawed, but honest women, and I take responsibility to ensure my work reflects those beliefs. If I can make people feel comfortable in their own skin through my roles, then I’m happy.”
Kritika Kamra discussed how streaming has helped create a space for female gaze in stories. “I’ve played a gangster – something I never thought I’d do. This is possible because the writing has changed, platforms are commissioning diverse shows, and audiences are accepting them,” she said.
The panelists explored the evolving role of women in the industry, noting greater opportunities to assert their voices and break through gender biases, resulting in more authentic and nuanced representations of female characters. Ishita Moitra shared, “It’s about the perspectives you bring, not just gender. The younger generation, including men, is thinking differently, and this shift is already visible on screen, with much more to come in the next decade.”
However, the panel acknowledged that despite notable progress, gender imbalance persists. Tanuja Chandra felt that positive change for better female representation and equality in the industry is not happening quickly enough, while Namrata Rao expressed delight at having the opportunity to work with a female crew in her directorial debut, and the need to have more such projects in the industry. Faye D’Souza said she believes real systemic change will happen when it benefits everyone from lead actors to crew members, with Smriti Kiran concluding that continuous dialogue is essential for shifting mindsets and addressing industry imbalances.
eNews
Piyush Thakur steps down as Inshorts’ chief revenue officer
Former vice president and cro says exit marks a new chapter after close to a decade of building revenue and partnerships at Inshorts Group.
NOIDA: Piyush Thakur has stepped away from Inshorts Group after nearly 10 years with the company, marking the end of a long tenure that culminated in his role as chief revenue officer.
In a farewell note, Thakur said he was “turning a new page” after almost a decade at Inshorts, calling it one of the hardest professional decisions he has made. He added that his exit was not driven by uncertainty about the future, but by reflection on a long association with the company.
Thakur joined Inshorts in October 2016 as vice president and spent around seven years in the role before being elevated to chief revenue officer in April 2024, a position he held until April 2026.
He said his tenure was defined by “thousands of mornings, late nights, product debates and breakthrough moments”, as the company evolved into a large-scale digital news platform used by millions.
In his note, Thakur emphasised that Inshorts’ growth was a collective effort across teams, adding that engineers, designers, sales teams and customer support staff all contributed to building the platform. He said the company’s success was not the result of individuals but of “everyone who stayed, passed through, and left their mark”.
Before Inshorts, Thakur worked across several digital media and business development roles. At ESPN, he served as senior regional manager from October 2015 to October 2016, focusing on growth initiatives, strategic opportunities and video distribution.
At Times Internet, he worked for nearly three years, including as head of business development from April 2015 to September 2015 and chief manager from January 2013 to March 2015. His responsibilities included monetisation of mobile platforms, managing media and developer partnerships, and driving revenue across digital properties such as The Times of India and The Economic Times.
Earlier, he worked at Brandmovers as head of business development from June 2012 to June 2013, handling digital, mobile and social media marketing solutions, client development and strategic consulting. During this period, he also worked on advertising revenue, brand strategy and CRM-based solutions.
At Inshorts, Thakur’s role focused on revenue strategy, mobile and media partnerships, and growth initiatives across platforms. His profile highlights experience in mobile product management, digital business models, partner ecosystems and revenue expansion in high-growth environments.
