Women & Culture Experts on Female Gaze Romance Shift – Indian Express

The viral hype and success of Canadian tv show Heated Rivalry has brought to light the fact that women's taste in romance has shifted significantly in the last decade or two. Moving on from films showing emotionally unavailable partners who spoke less and expressed their affection through violence and possessiveness, to stories that break traditional gender norms and celebrate softness and vulnerability -- women are rooting for content that is being dubbed 'female gaze' friendly. My piece aims to explore what led to this shift, and the kind of romance women want to see more of in 2026. What they like and what they want to see less of. I wish to speak to women, as well as culture critic/sociologists to understand this cultural shift and what it means for the younger generation growing up with positive examples and references of romance represented on-screen. If you/your client want to share your thoughts on this subject, please reach out in the DMs or comments below. This piece is for The Indian Express digital. #journorequest #lifestyle #femalegaze #popculture #romance #women