Amitabh Bachchan analysed the changing role of women in Indian cinema at the opening ceremony of the 22nd edition of the Kolkata International Film Festival. He said, “The female characters in Pink are to all intents and purposes emancipated women with all liberties accorded by their financial independence. Yet the film raises unsettling queries largely ignored by our film industry. Pink brings the issues of sexual violence and sexual consent into urban middle class homes." He also said that the film provokes audiences to question whether education has changed the way women are treated in urban India or not. Giving examples of Indian films like Achhut Kanyya, Satyajit Ray’s Ghare Baire , Gulzar’s Aandhi to recent films like Paa, Mardaani, Mary Kom, Queen, Piku, and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil he said how the portrayal of women in Indian cinema had changed from the stereotypical housewife to strong and independent characters fighting for their rights. He said, “Even the word ‘mardaani’ is derived from the word mard … the word which is a description of male valour and strength. Why is there not an independent word for female valour? This is something which I feel needs debate and consideration.”