Published Paper Details:

This study examines the growing yet often overlooked role of women technicians in the Tamil film industry through a comprehensive analysis of their contributions, challenges, and industry impact. Using mixed-methods research encompassing quantitative data from 150 major Tamil films (2010-2023) and qualitative interviews with 12 women technicians, we document their participation in key technical roles including cinematography, editing, sound design, and production management. Our findings reveal that while women constitute only 12-15% of technical crews in major productions, their contributions have led to measurable differences in cinematic language - including 22% longer average shot lengths in edited sequences and more naturalistic lighting approaches in cinematography. The study identifies three critical systemic barriers: male-dominated hiring networks (78% of technical hires), workplace culture challenges (63% report sexist remarks), and lack of mentorship opportunities. Significantly, we found productions with female technicians demonstrate 40% fewer harassment incidents and more nuanced portrayals of women characters. The paper also highlights successful case studies like the all-female technical crew for "Lens" (2022) and Sudha Kongara's gender-balanced team for "Soorarai Pottru" (2020). We conclude with four-point recommendations: policy interventions like tax incentives for gender-balanced crews, industry mentorship programs, cultural shifts in promotion practices, and union-led welfare measures. This research provides both empirical evidence of women's impact on Tamil cinema's technical aesthetics and practical pathways toward greater gender equity in India's film industries