MUMBAI: Who runs the world? At She Shakti 2025, the answer was loud and clear women, and on their own terms. News18 flagship platform, presented by Lions International, returned in Delhi with its grand finale under the theme “From Breaking Barriers to Building Bharat.” From policy corridors to cinema screens, women leaders, changemakers and stars gathered to showcase how they’re rewriting India’s growth story.
The line-up sparkled with names across domains Smriti Irani, former cabinet minister and founder of The Alliance for Global Good; Nidhi Khare, secretary at the department of consumer affairs; Lindy Cameron, British high commissioner to India; Mallika Srinivasan, chairman & MD of Tractors and Farm Equipment; actors Kriti Sanon and Sanya Malhotra; JNU vice-chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit; and playback legend Kavita Krishnamurti Subramaniam, among others.
President Droupadi Murmu set the tone with a powerful video message: “As scientists, engineers, doctors, soldiers, artists, entrepreneurs, athletes, academicians, social workers, policy makers, and in many other roles, women are consistently reaching new heights… In reality, this is not just a change, but a revolution.”
Smriti Irani, recalling her rise to becoming the highest-paid television actor 25 years ago, urged women to “scream out loud” about their pay cheques. “Today, women don’t just want a seat at the table; they want the capital, the confidence, and a clear pathway to scale their capacities,” she said.
Kriti Sanon brought an entrepreneurial lens, stressing women’s “problem-solving mindset” in business. Sanya Malhotra drew on her acclaimed film Mrs. to highlight the quiet but seismic fight for freedom at home. “The problem started when she wanted to do something else,” Sanya said of her character, “and wasn’t allowed to.”
Over the years, She Shakti has grown into more than an event, it’s become a stage where stories of resilience, ambition, and leadership converge. This year’s edition underlined that gender diversity isn’t just about inclusion; it’s about powering Bharat’s future with grit, grace, and an unstoppable revolution.
