Earlier this year, Punjabi film star Sonam Bajwa made her Bollywood debut with Housefull 5, a franchise film that went on to post strong box-office numbers. However, the success was accompanied by criticism, with sections of the audience calling out the film for its portrayal of women. Critics accused the makers of objectifying female characters, relying on stereotypes, and using humour that largely revolved around women’s bodies, leaving them with little narrative agency beyond adding glamour. Sonam Bajwa emphasized the industry’s challenges for women and looks forward to more significant roles ahead, drawing parallels with Alia Bhatt’s career trajectory and the demanding nature of comedy. Sonam defends doing Housefull 5 Despite the backlash, Sonam says she has no regrets about choosing the film as her entry into Hindi cinema, especially as it gave her the opportunity to share the screen with seasoned stars like Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, and Riteish Deshmukh. In an interview with News18 Showsha, she acknowledged the criticism but maintained that differing opinions are part of cinema. “I’m not here to sit …