The landscape for mature women (defined generally as those over 40) in entertainment and cinema is currently marked by a "one step forward, two steps back" dynamic as of April 2026. While 2024 saw historic peaks in female-led films, recent 2025 and 2026 data indicates a sharp decline in lead roles for women and a persistent "invisibility" of the authentic experiences of midlife and aging.

(President, Jio Studios) continue to dominate Indian entertainment, with Deshpande backing massive hits like and the Oscar-submitted Laapataa Ladies The Rise of the "Female Gaze"