– A film having a female protagonist discourages people from seeing the movie.

– Films led by female stars earn less at the box office.

– Movies centred on women are critical duds.

– Viewers just aren’t interested in tales built around strong female characters.

If we had a penny for every time we’ve had to hear lines like these, we’d pretty much be drowning in pennies at this point. But of course, none of these misguided statements are actually true.

The global film industry appears to have spent far too long convinced that male stars are the bigger cinematic draw, even though this line of thinking has been debunked time and again. From the mammoth box office hauls of movies like Beauty and the Beast, Frozen, and Captain Marvel to the critical acclaim received by the likes of The Shape of Water, Roma, and pretty much everything starring Frances McDormand, we have repeatedly seen that female characters can not only deliver compelling narratives but can also attract audiences to cinemas. A 2018 analysis of the 350 top grossing films between 2014 and 2017 even suggested that projects starring women outperform those with male leads and earn more revenues.

It is nothing short of baffling then, that women still remain underrepresented in cinema, both on and off the screen, and that lazy stereotypes – from damsels in distress to manic pixie dream girls – still haven’t been rooted out. Nonetheless, there have been plenty of Ellen Ripleys and Princess Leias and Fa Mulans who have shown us over and over again that female characters can be just as fascinating, interesting, and badass as their male counterparts.

We are lucky, in short, that, despite biases and misperceptions, we have been blessed with plenty of fierce, inspirational women in films. Even our industry, struggling as it may be, has produced its share of strong ladies onscreen.

The movies that seem like the biggest coups are unconventional adventures like the biographical drama Motorcycle Girl which brought Zenith Irfan’s real-life journey to cinematic life. The protagonist (portrayed by Sohai Ali Abro) defies the odds and takes her destiny into her own hands, even when those around her are trying their best to clip her wings, as she makes a solo motorbike ride from Lahore to Khunjerab in memory of her late father. She’s brave, bold, and intriguing, just like our heroines should be.

Cake’s Zareen (played by Aamina Sheikh) is another strong character who impresses with her compelling complexity. She carries the weight of personal issues, familial burdens, and a devastating secret but never buckles under the pressure, giving us a prime example of how female-led movies can pack an emotional punch.

Even in a film as flawed as Verna, you can still find strength in Sara (Mahira Khan), a rape survivor seeking revenge for the crime committed against her. The plot might be derailing around her but her defiance shines through as she goes in search of justice despite her family’s opposition. Her determination to not be a victim makes her powerful and memorable.

Our cinema needs more Zeniths and Zareens and Saras: strong female characters who aren’t defined by the men in their lives, and refuse to be mere eye candy or love interests; women who aspire to break free from cultural constraints, and who inspire us to be everything we want to be.