Having more women filmmakers is bringing a change: Lara

"I think the whole scene is changing because of more participation of women, and so there are that much better-written parts that women are getting in films. I think the younger lot – Alia Bhatt, Anushka Sharma, Deepika Padukone and Kangana Ranaut –they are really lucky to be a part of Indian cinema at a time when more women filmmakers are telling stories that deserve to be told."

"This is only improving the image of our women in Indian cinema," Lara said in an interview. She pointed out how since she produced the film Chalo Dilli, the number of female filmmakers has increased.

"They are coming up with the right story and thankfully, studios are ready to invest money and taking female filmmakers seriously. On the other hand, actors like Kangana and Anushka are also producing their own films. I think that is how we are getting more and more empowered," she added.

While some of the iconic filmmakers like Mira Nair and Aparna Sen have represented Indian cinema on the global platform in the past, in the last few years names like Zoya Akhtar, Alankrita Shrivastava, Gauri Shinde and Konkona Sen Sharma have gone behind the camera for movies.

Though heroines tend to get typecast in a mother's role after a certain age, it is interesting how at 39, Lara gets to play a strong professional like her part as a lawyer in Azhar, and as an art gallery owner and curator in Fitoor.

On this, she said: "I never made a strategy to choose a certain kind of role, but yes those are the kind of roles I am offered. Maybe, filmmakers believe that I can bring something more to such characters in a film. Honestly, I do not analyse them that much. I think that is why I have done a variety of roles from a lawyer to a village woman and a mad character in a comedy film like Singh Is Bliing." Lara is making her debut on Indian television with a dance reality show titled 'High Fever... Dance Ka Naya Tevar'.

The show, also featuring Ahmed Khan as judge, is starting soon on &TV.