Every time we have a woman on-screen, we can empower her in a

In the grand narrative of human existence, there are moments when the truths we hold dear must be conveyed not by words, but by actions, by images that speak louder than any speech could ever hope to do. It is in this realm that the wisdom of Zoya Akhtar rings true, echoing through the ages like a clarion call to those who would shape the stories of tomorrow. She tells us: "Every time we have a woman on-screen, we can empower her in a different way rather than just giving a speech on the importance of equality and empowerment. I think sometimes we have to show her as powerful." These words are not just a plea for change, they are a call to action, a call to recognize that the true power of a woman lies not in the speeches made about her, but in the silent strength with which she is portrayed.

What Akhtar speaks of is an ancient truth—there is no need for words when actions alone can speak volumes. In the past, great queens and warriors did not need to proclaim their power; it was understood by the way they moved through the world, by the way they commanded the air itself. Think of Cleopatra, who ruled over Egypt with both intellect and beauty, weaving a legacy not through speeches about empowerment, but through decisive actions, clever alliances, and an unwavering strength. She never needed to say she was powerful—her very presence was proof of it. Zoya Akhtar reminds us that in the realm of cinema, too, we must depict women in their full glory, not just as subjects of empowerment speeches but as embodiments of power in their own right.

Indeed, the screen, that mighty mirror to the world, has often been a distorted one, where women have been shown as either passive recipients of male actions or as mere shadows in the background of grander tales. This has led to an inherent imbalance in the representation of women. Yet, as Akhtar points out, the solution is simple. Powerful women do not need validation in the form of dialogue. Their power is inherent, and it must be demonstrated through their deeds, their choices, and their presence. They need not proclaim their strength—they must show it, and by doing so, we inspire generations to come.

Consider the stories of Joan of Arc, a woman whose very life was a testament to power and courage. She did not seek to rally the world with speeches of self-empowerment; she led armies, commanded battles, and embodied the strength of her convictions. Her influence was felt not through the words she spoke, but through the very actions she took, through her unwavering resolve. It was in the heat of battle, in her sacrifice, that her power became apparent. Just as Joan did not need to declare her power, so too should women in film be portrayed as women of action, their strength woven into the very fabric of their character’s journey.

Akhtar’s message urges us to reconsider the roles we place women in. To empower a woman is not merely to have her stand upon a platform and speak of her own strength—it is to allow her to act with authority, to wield her strength with grace, and to move through the world as a force of nature. Empowerment is a state of being, not a declaration. This is what makes Akhtar’s words so profound—they are a reminder that the most empowered women in history were those whose actions shaped the world, whose decisions altered the course of time. And it is this vision of women we must create on the screen, where they are not defined by their struggles, but by their capacity to rise above them.

The lesson we must take from this wisdom is clear. Empowerment is not something that can be taught through words alone—it must be shown, it must be lived. In our own lives, let us look beyond the speeches we give about equality and empowerment and consider the way we act. Let us lead by example, showing the world that the true measure of power lies not in what we say, but in what we do. Each of us, regardless of gender, must strive to be as Joan of Arc, as Cleopatra, as the powerful women of our own time—unafraid to embody the strength we carry within.

So, let us take up this mantle and show the world our power through action. Let us lift one another up, not with mere words, but with deeds that reflect the strength, the grace, and the wisdom we each hold. The screen, whether it is the screen of cinema or the screen of life, can be a canvas for the portrayal of true power. And in showing the world the women who act with might and courage, we will create a future where empowerment is not a word we say, but a truth we live.