Actress Wamiqa Gabbi believes that one of the most significant changes in cinema over the past few decades has been the space storytelling has finally been allowed to occupy.
Reflecting on the early years of the 21st century, Wamiqa observed that contemporary cinema is gradually shifting towards quieter, more nuanced narratives. She noted that the last couple of decades have opened doors for stories driven by flawed characters and emotions that don’t need to be loud to create an impact.
“What really stands out for me is how much space storytelling has found. The last couple of decades have allowed for quieter narratives, flawed people, and stories that don’t need to shout to be heard,” she said.
Wamiqa mentioned that technology has helped films reach audiences more quickly and broadly, but she feels the biggest shift is ‘trust’. “Audiences today are open to nuance and complexity, and that honestly surprised me. There’s room now for performances that unfold slowly and for stories that linger instead of aiming only for instant reaction,” she added.
Wamiqa made her screen debut as a child with a brief role in Jab We Met, starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Shahid Kapoor. She later established herself as a leading lady in Punjabi cinema with successful performances in Tu Mera 22 Main Tera 22, Nikka Zaildar 2, and Kali Jotta.
She also branched into other languages with the Tamil romance Maalai Naerathu Mayakkam and the Malayalam sports drama Godha.
Recently, Wamiqa was seen in Bhool Chuk Maaf, a fantasy romantic comedy directed by Karan Sharma, which also stars Rajkummar Rao and Seema Pahwa.
She is set to appear in the much-anticipated sequel, Pati Patni Aur Woh 2, co-starring Ayushmaan Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan. This project, helmed by Mudassar Aziz, is scheduled for a theatrical release on March 4, 2026, coinciding with Holi.
Wamiqa’s upcoming projects also include Bhooth Bangla, Kuku Ki Kundali, Tiki Taka, and Goodachari 2.
Bhoot Bangla is directed by Priyadarshan and brings together the iconic trio of Priyadarshan, Akshay Kumar, and Paresh Rawal. The film will feature Tabu, Rajpal Yadav, and Mithila Palkar in crucial roles, among others.
Produced by Shobha Kapoor and Ektaa R Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms, in collaboration with Akshay Kumar’s production house, Cape of Good Films, Bhooth Bangla is co-produced by Faara Sheikh and Vedant Baali. The film is slated for a theatrical release on April 2, 2026.