The "We The Women" festival in Mumbai on November 30, 2025, saw a dazzling array of celebrities, including Janhvi Kapoor, Malaika Arora, and Neha Dhupia, gracing the event with their presence. The 8th edition of the festival, curated and moderated by journalist Barkha Dutt, served as a platform for conversation, celebration, and community, bringing together changemakers from various sectors.
Janhvi Kapoor, known for her roles in films like "Dhadak" and "Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl", made a "sunny appearance" on stage and shared her perspective on self-respect. She emphasized the importance of self-worth, stating, "One thing I've learnt over the years is that jab tak aap khud ki izzat nahin karoge, koi aur bhi aapki izzat nahin karega (if you don't respect yourself, no one will respect you)". In related news, Kapoor recently discussed the media coverage surrounding her mother Sridevi's death, expressing her shock at the lack of morality and voyeuristic nature of journalism. She has several films slated for release, including "Param Sundari" and "Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari". "Homebound," which stars Kapoor, Vishal Jethwa and Ishaan Khatter, is India's official entry for the 98th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film.
Malaika Arora launched her debut book, "It's Easy To Be Healthy: Malaika's Guide To Living A Good Life," at the event. The book likely offers insights into her approach to wellness and healthy living.
Neha Dhupia also addressed the audience. Other notable attendees included Jaya Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, Vijay Varma, Ishaan Khatter, Shobhaa De, Manish Malhotra, Masaba Gupta, Dia Mirza, and Rasika Dugal. Each of these individuals, according to the festival organizers, contributes to a diverse and dynamic cultural and social narrative of India.
Dia Mirza spoke about ageism in the Hindi film industry. She highlighted the disparity in casting older women versus older men and shared her personal experiences with being told that women have a "shelf life" in entertainment. Mini Mathur discussed menopause, noting that women often have to handle this significant life transition with inadequate support. Shobhaa De emphasized the importance of daily writing for those who aspire to be writers. Jaya Bachchan reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the media present.
The "We The Women" festival also highlighted Women in Uniform, hosting women soldiers and Air Warriors from the Indian Army and the IAF. Their presence served as a reminder of courage, discipline, and duty. The festival continues to be a vital space for recognizing and celebrating the achievements of women and men across various fields, fostering conversations, and building a sense of community.
