Women in Entertainment 2026 | Avarna Jain, Chairperson of RPSG Lifestyle Media: 'The Most Daring, Commercially Sharp Work is Coming from Women'

The Hollywood Reporter India (THR India), in partnership with De Beers, successfully concluded its second Women in Entertainment gala on Wednesday (March 25) evening, bringing together notable names from across the entertainment landscape.

Avarna Jain, Chairperson, RPSG Lifestyle Media, first looked back on the inaugural year and the impact it created across the industry.

“Last year, when we launched the WIE Power List, there was a part of me — a small but honest part — that wondered whether the industry would take it seriously,” she admitted, adding, “Whether people would see it as just another list. Another event. Another evening of compliments and cocktails.”

Those doubts, however, were quickly put to rest. “The conversations that came out of last year's list were sharp, sometimes uncomfortable, and exactly what we needed,” Jain said, underscoring how the initiative sparked both appreciation and critique. “Women called us to say they'd been noticed. Others called to ask why they hadn't been included. Both told us the same thing; that this mattered.”

Addressing the room full of achievers, she emphasised that their success was entirely self-made. “What I want to say to this room is that none of you got here because someone opened a door and invited you in. You got here because you showed up so many times, so consistently, with so much work under your arm, that the door became irrelevant. You built your own way in.”

Jain also acknowledged the systemic challenges women continue to face in the industry. “I know what that costs. To be the only woman in a room where decisions are being made. To have your confidence read as aggression… we've all been there,” she noted, before adding a powerful observation: “You don't just survive this industry. You push it forward and you make it very hard for it to go back.”

Highlighting the trailblazers, Avarna Jain said, "This year, we are especially thrilled to honour Rani Mukerji, receiving the Timeless Icon Award; Aneet Padda, recognised as the Breakthrough Artist of the Year; and Santhy Balachandran, acclaimed for her work in Malayalam cinema and celebrated as the Changemaker of the Year. We are proud to bring this celebration to life with a fraternity that shares our belief in the power and brilliance of women.”

The evolving nature of entertainment was also addressed. “The entertainment business is changing faster than any of us can keep up. But what hasn't changed is that the most interesting, most daring, most commercially sharp work is coming from women."

On the responsibility behind curating the list, she added, “The Power List is how we hold ourselves to that,” referring to the brand’s commitment to honestly spotlighting those driving the industry forward.

Closing on an aspirational note, Avarna Jain reminded attendees of the broader purpose behind the evening. “To every honouree tonight… you're on it because of what you represent. A standard you refuse to drop,” she said, while also extending encouragement to others in the room: “To every woman here whose name isn't on this list, you are always part of the story.”

The evening also spotlighted a larger social message through the Wishing Tree installation in partnership with CRY, reinforcing that while the night celebrated achievements, it also looked ahead to creating opportunities for the next generation.