Actress-turned-producer Debinna Bonnerjee has spoken candidly about the challenges women face in professional spaces, saying that female voices are often not given the same weight as their male counterparts — a reality she believes extends well beyond the entertainment industry. In an interview ahead of the release of her debut production, Debinna said she is navigating these challenges alongside husband and co-producer Gurmeet Choudhary, and that their combined front has made a difference.

On Gender Bias in the Film Industry

Debinna was direct when asked whether she faced additional hurdles as a female producer. 'I think it happens everywhere. Women are sometimes taken a little less seriously. People feel that they will make the decisions, but I think things are changing,' she said. She added that her approach has been to communicate expectations with clarity and firmness, rather than let assumptions go unchecked.

She also pointed to the all-women leadership at the co-producing studio. 'Our other producer, Rewa Creatives, is also led by a woman. I feel we are very strong. We put our thoughts across very clearly. What we want is what we want, and there should not be any compromise,' she said. The film is being produced under Gurmeet's home banner, DebGuru Films, in collaboration with Reva Creative House.

A Producer's Eye on an Actor's World

Stepping behind the camera has given Debinna a markedly different perspective on the filmmaking process. She admitted that, as an actor, she had not fully appreciated what producers contend with on a daily basis.

'Struggle of an actor? I feel acting is actually a very easy job. But my respect for producers has definitely increased. As actors, we never really bothered about what the producer was going through,' she said. She noted that minor disruptions on set — complaints about food, scheduling, or treatment — carry real consequences for a production's rhythm when viewed from the other side of the lens.

'If anything goes wrong, the entire rhythm of the film can get affected. So, as an actor, you have to adjust a little. Producers are constantly trying to keep everything under control and make sure the actors can perform at their best,' she added.

Why Gurmeet Chose to Produce His Own Film

The impetus for the film, 'Tum Mere Ho', came from Gurmeet Choudhary himself, according to Debinna. Despite being known for action-oriented roles on OTT platforms, Gurmeet felt his romantic persona was not getting adequate representation through the scripts being offered to him.

'He is a romantic hero, but whenever he was getting work on OTT or elsewhere, there was a lot of action involved. His eyes, his face, everything speaks. So he felt that the kind of script he was looking for was not coming to him,' Debinna explained. She was clear about crediting the decision entirely to her husband. 'That decision was taken by Gurmeet, and I supported him. I would never take credit for saying that I thought of it for him,' she said.

About the Film: Tum Mere Ho

'Tum Mere Ho' is an intense romantic drama featuring Gurmeet Choudhary alongside actress Isha Malviya, who makes her Bollywood debut with this film. The project also stars Anushkaa Luhar and Shaan Grover in significant roles. The film marks Gurmeet's debut as a producer and is scheduled to release on 23 October 2026. For Debinna, the project represents not just a creative venture but a statement about carving one's own path when the industry does not offer the right opportunities.