Women in leadership, breaking the barriers in the entertainment industry

Authored by Mariya Jamal, Head of Strategy, Drishti Asknani- PR & communications manager, Vani Nair- Head of Socials & Content

The entertainment industry always has and always will be a world of stars, red carpets and high drama. But behind all the glitz and glamour, a drastic and long awaited shift is happening – Women are leading the charge. From producing big budget films to running global streaming platforms, women are no longer just sitting at the table – they’re owning the room, calling the shots and changing the industry from the inside out.

Women in the entertainment space today are power players, decision makers and change makers in an industry that’s still struggling with gender equality. In fact women are running some of the biggest production houses in Bollywood, managing top stars and overseeing multi million dollar campaigns that reach global audiences.

But the entertainment industry isn’t just about films, TV shows, music videos or influencers – it’s about the culture around them. 

Take Mariya Jamal, Head of Strategy at Dot Media, for example. Mariya is leading the charge in creating bold, innovative campaigns that break the mould of how stories are told in the entertainment industry. “Strategic thinking is all about anticipating audience behaviour and curating experiences that go beyond advertising,” she says. “In this space women are reimagining how brands talk to their audience, crafting stories that emotionally engage and changing the way we consume entertainment. It’s about pushing boundaries and building deeper, more real relationships.”

“Creative strategies are more than just pretty pictures or clever words – they’re about telling stories that emotionally connect with the audience, creating a real brand presence. Women in this space have the ability to curate stories that resonate on a deeper level, a new perspective on what it means to lead in the entertainment industry. In this case, women I would say are more empathetic and hence the stories that they write will have associations with minute details about the brand that most people overlook”, says Mariya.

Drishti Asknani, PR & Communications Manager at Dot Media, puts it perfectly: "In PR, we don’t just tell stories—we bring them to life. The real power lies in connecting the audience to the heart of the story," she explains — When women lead in PR and entertainment, we are changing the narrative. By amplifying the new, diverse voices, shattering stereotypes and telling stories that matter, we are redefining success.

Vani Nair, Head of Socials & Content adds “From boardrooms to production sets, women in leadership are transforming the entertainment industry. I've had the privilege of leading and working with women who have beautifully executed groundbreaking campaigns and taken on roles traditionally held by men. Our unique perspectives and unwavering determination are not just reshaping the industry—they're revolutionising it. Here's to breaking barriers and setting new standards every day. We're not just changing the narrative; we're rewriting the script.”

And it’s not just about leading in traditional ways; women in the entertainment industry are also driving innovation in tech, casting, and even audience engagement. Think about how streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ are being shaped by female executives, or how social justice movements and cultural shifts are being led by female directors and producers. The doors that were once closed to women in the entertainment industry are now wide open, and they're not just walking through them—they're charging forward, redefining what it means to be a leader in this ever-evolving space.

So here's to the women who are taking the entertainment industry by storm—whether it's through powerful storytelling, strategic PR campaigns, or innovative strategies. Their voices are loud, their presence is undeniable, and their impact? Absolutely unstoppable.

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and Adgully.com does not necessarily subscribe to it.