The Indian film and entertainment business is changing fast. Stars still shine on screen, but behind the scenes a new generation of women entrepreneurs is shaping how stories are made, sold and celebrated. These women run studios, launch platforms, back independent filmmakers and build ecosystems that create jobs and shape culture. Here are three iconic personalities who are ruling the industry today — each with a distinct voice, business instinct and cultural influence.
Ekta Kapoor — the serial storyteller who built a TV and streaming empire
What she built: Ekta Kapoor turned a knack for serialized drama into an entertainment empire. As the driving force behind Balaji Telefilms and the founder of AltBalaji, she moved from dominating Indian television to creating one of the early homegrown streaming players focused on Indian taste.
Signature moves and projects
- Television revolution: Long-running soap operas like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii changed Indian TV viewing and launched many careers.
- Streaming pivot: With AltBalaji she embraced web-first storytelling, commissioning bold, youth-focused shows and niche genres that mainstream TV rarely touched.
- Scale and production muscle: Balaji’s production machinery is known for speed, scale and audience-read instincts — qualities that helped the company monetize content across platforms.
Why she matters: Ekta’s business instinct lies in reading mass audiences and building systems to serve them. She showed that TV producers could reinvent themselves for the streaming era, and that commercially minded entertainment can still take creative risks.
Zoya Akhtar — the auteur-entrepreneur shaping premium storytelling
What she built: Zoya Akhtar is a filmmaker who combined creative ambition with entrepreneurial thinking. As co-founder of the production house Tiger Baby, she has helped create a space for layered, character-driven films and quality web series aimed at urban, discerning viewers.
Signature moves and projects
- Filmmaking voice: Zoya’s films balance mainstream appeal with nuance — she brought fresh storytelling to films and series that resonate with younger audiences.
- Tiger Baby: Launched with Reema Kagti, Tiger Baby has backed projects that prioritize craft and casting risks, while tapping into streaming platforms that demand quality mini-series and originals.
- Notable works: Films and shows associated with Zoya and her company have become cultural talking points, helping place Indian stories comfortably on global conversations about cinema and streaming.
Why she matters: Zoya’s success shows how creators can be entrepreneurs without losing an auteur’s sensibility. Her model proves that investing in distinct voices and high production values builds both prestige and a loyal audience.
Guneet Monga — the bridge between indie cinema and the world stage
What she built: Guneet Monga is a champion of independent cinema who has built a reputation for spotting bold, festival-ready projects and taking them to global platforms. As a producer and founder of production initiatives, she’s created pathways for Indian storytellers to reach international audiences.
Signature moves and projects
- Festival success: Monga’s films have made consistent appearances at global film festivals, helping Indian indie cinema gain credibility and market value abroad.
- Impact-driven work: Beyond box office metrics, she supports films that start conversations — on class, identity and modern India — and helps them find audiences beyond traditional circuits.
- Global recognition: Her role in projects that won international acclaim has made her a visible face of India’s new wave of producers who combine art and outreach.
Why she matters: Guneet’s entrepreneurial strength is in building bridges — between indie directors and global distributors, between festival acclaim and commercial opportunity. She’s helped create an ecosystem where risky stories can be financially viable and culturally influential.
Different leaders, one shifting industry
These three women show how diverse the role of an entertainment entrepreneur can be. Ekta Kapoor turned mass storytelling into a scalable business and rode the shift to OTT; Zoya Akhtar built a premium label that values craft and creative risk; Guneet Monga has opened international doors for filmmakers and shown that impact-driven cinema can thrive.
What this means for Bollywood and beyond
- More varied stories: Diverse leadership produces a wider range of films and series — from big melodramas to intimate indie pieces.
- New business models: Production houses, OTT platforms, festival strategies and global partnerships are being rethought by women leaders who blend creativity with commerce.
- Talent ecosystems: These entrepreneurs invest in writers, technicians and new directors, creating pipelines that keep the industry fresh.
The Indian entertainment landscape is richer because of these women. They’re not just producing content — they’re building companies, shaping culture and mentoring the next generation of storytellers. As audiences diversify and platforms multiply, their influence will only grow, proving that the business of stories benefits when women lead from behind the camera and at the boardroom table.