Thu Nov 06 06:55:02 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and rewrite of the provided text as a news article:

Summary:

Indian actress Huma Qureshi, known for challenging traditional Bollywood heroine roles, discusses her career, upcoming projects, and views on the evolving landscape of the film industry and society in an interview at The Hindu MIND Series event. Qureshi talks about her role in “Maharani,” the importance of female representation in politics, her character choices, the changing gaze on female leads in Indian cinema, and working with legendary actors like Rajinikanth and directors like Sanjay Leela Bhansali. She also addresses the rise of hate and inter-faith relations in film and society. Lastly, she highlights her recent step into film production, driven by a desire to tell untold stories with her upcoming project Baby Do Die.

News Article:

Huma Qureshi on Breaking Barriers, Female Agency, and Entering Production

New Delhi – November 6, 2025 – Indian actress Huma Qureshi, a force known for her powerful performances and challenging of stereotypical roles in Hindi cinema, shared her insights on the evolving entertainment industry and societal issues at The Hindu MIND Series in New Delhi on November 1, 2025.

Qureshi, whose fourth season of the political drama “Maharani” is set to stream this week, discussed the significance of female voters and representation in politics, drawing parallels between her character, Rani Bharti, and real-world political figures. “As long as it stems from a real space of actually including women in decision-making, policymaking, and making them real participants rather than indulging in tokenism or merely paying lip service, it is a welcome change” she said.

Known for portraying characters that challenge authority, Qureshi attributed her choices to her upbringing and experiences at an all-girls college in Delhi. She emphasized the importance of women working in all aspects of filmmaking and taking agency in their roles, even in mainstream projects. “I take my agency as a human trait. When it seeps into my characters, it’s not intentional. As a female actor, I don’t want to be put in a box,” Qureshi said.

Qureshi also discussed the increasing prevalence of inter-faith conflict portrayed in films, stressing the importance of avoiding propaganda and focusing on positive narratives in a multicultural society.

Reflecting on her experience working with industry giants like Rajinikanth in “Kaala” and her missed opportunity to work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali earlier in her career, Qureshi expressed her admiration for these directors’ vision and artistry.

Looking ahead, Qureshi highlighted her foray into production with her brother, launching “Saleem Siblings.” Their upcoming project, “Baby Do Die,” an action thriller about a female assassin, reflects their commitment to telling stories that are not being told. “Our first film, Baby Do Die, will be released next year. It is an action thriller about a Maharastrian female assassin. The title is a play on her name, Baby Karmarkar. The way I look at it is either we win or we learn.”

The Hindu MIND Series event provided a platform for Qureshi to share her perspectives on a wide range of topics, showcasing her commitment to both her craft and social progress.

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