Bollywood is witnessing a fresh perspective on the action genre with Huma Qureshi’s latest release, Baby Do Die Do. As the film runs in theatres, Huma has sparked a necessary conversation about how female assassins have traditionally been portrayed in Indian cinema. Moving away from the conventional, high-glamour tropes, she advocated for more grounded, layered representations of women in powerful roles.
In Baby Do Die Do, directed by Nachiket Samant, Huma plays Baby, a deaf and mute assassin. The film, which marks the debut production of Huma and her brother Saqib Saleem’s company, Saleem Siblings, features the actress as India’s first on-screen female hitwoman. Unlike the typical archetypes often seen on the silver screen, frequently defined by body-hugging outfits and a heavily stylized aesthetic, Baby is designed to look like an ordinary, relatable person.
Discussing the conscious decision to move away from these cliches, Huma shared the appeal of a character who blends into the background. In an interview with PTI, she explained, “The fact that she is so normal and regular looking and yet such a lethal killer is what makes it such an interesting tale… We just wanted to make a very relatable character. Baby is somebody you just meet in a Mumbai local and not bat an eyelid.”
Huma went on to address the broader issue of how female action stars are framed by the industry. She argued that the persistent trend of presenting female killers as glamorous, sexualized figures is a direct result of patriarchal conditioning. She said, “That women have to be in these tight-fitting clothes, hyper sexualised sort of imagery to be able to be assassins. I think it is coming from patriarchy.”
Huma shared how she believes that a shift in storytelling is important for progress. While she acknowledged that the industry is making some headway, she hopes her role as Baby encourages filmmakers to move toward more unconventional and complex writing for women. She added, “I think there could be a lot more change when it comes to writing better parts. There’s definitely a step in the right direction.”
Released in theatres on July 3, Baby Do Die Do features an ensemble cast including Sikandar Kher, Chunky Panday, Rachit Singh, Marudha Shekhawat, Vidya Malvade, Arun Kushwah, and Himanshu Malik.
Also Read: Ram Charan Praises Huma Qureshi’s Baby Do Die Do: ‘She Always Delivers Outstanding Performances’
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