Sonam Bajwa has finally addressed the criticism surrounding Housefull 5 — and she’s doing it with clarity rather than defensiveness. The actress, who is currently riding high with major projects lined up, spoke candidly about the backlash the film received, especially over how women were written and presented on screen.
The multi-starrer comedy drew mixed reactions after release, with several viewers calling out its punchlines and the limited agency given to female characters. Now, Sonam has shared her perspective, placing the debate in a larger industry context.
“People Have the Right to Their Opinion”
Speaking about the criticism, Sonam acknowledged the concerns without dismissing them. She said she understands why some viewers felt uncomfortable with certain jokes and portrayals, but also pointed out that audiences often accept films where women are largely positioned as glamorous presences rather than equal narrative drivers.
According to Sonam, this imbalance isn’t new — it’s something that has existed across genres and decades in mainstream cinema.
Why She Said Yes to Housefull 5
Sonam revealed that she was fully aware of what she was signing up for. As a massive franchise with an ensemble of senior male stars, Housefull 5 was never going to be a film where she “owned” the narrative.
She explained that she knew her role would be limited, but was comfortable with that choice because it marked her first Hindi film. For her, it was a strategic step — one that would open doors to more performance-heavy roles later, such as her upcoming film Ek Deewani Ki Deewaniyat.
The Alia Bhatt Comparison
Addressing expectations placed on female actors, Sonam drew a comparison with Alia Bhatt’s debut. She pointed out that even someone as accomplished as Alia started with a conventional, glamorous heroine role before gradually proving her depth as an actor.
Sonam noted that women often take longer to showcase their full potential because early opportunities tend to focus more on appearance and screen presence than layered writing.
Comedy Isn’t Easy, Even in Small Roles
One point Sonam strongly stood by was the challenge of comedy. She shared that while her role in Housefull 5 was brief, it offered a few moments where she could explore comic timing — something she believes is far from easy.
Even if audiences felt the female characters were underwritten, Sonam said she made a conscious effort to extract value from whatever material she had, using those limited scenes to show what she could bring to the table.
What’s Next for Sonam Bajwa
Beyond Housefull 5, Sonam’s career graph continues to rise. She will soon be seen in Border 2, sharing screen space with Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, a combination that has already sparked excitement among fans.
With bigger roles and stronger characters on the horizon, Sonam appears confident that her choices will eventually speak for themselves.
Final Words
Sonam Bajwa’s response isn’t about justifying Housefull 5 — it’s about acknowledging reality. In an industry where female actors often start with limited space, she’s choosing patience over protest, and progression over outrage. Whether audiences agree or not, her perspective adds nuance to a debate that’s rarely black and white.
