Kanika Dhillon On Getting Netflix Top Billing And Why Women Should Claim Their Creative Ownership

In a first for any Hindi feature film and in the very first frame of Haseen Dillruba, streaming platform Netflix has credited screenwriter Kanika Dhillon for the story, screenplay and dialogues. Kanika Dhillon’s credit appears ahead of that of the film’s producers, the director and the cast. The tradition of not giving writers their due credit is symptomatic of Bollywood that has put stars on a pedestal and enabled a culture of hero worship.

Kanika Dhillon, who has creatively produced Manmarziyaan, talks about how this enabling move by the streaming platform has set a benchmark. From contracts to compensations and representation, it is important for women to negotiate more, Kanika Dhillon asserts.

Watch the video to know more about why Kanika Dhillon believes in the power of sisterhood to stand up against patriarchy.

(Interviewed by Sanhati Banerjee; video produced and edited by Nang Tanvi)