Indeed, during her directorial career Ratna received little support from male directors.

Might a female director take a different view of "Aida" than a male director?

The vast majority of male directors are former, current or soon-to-be chief executives.

Do you think women feel that they can approach you more easily than they would a male director?

Ask about her personal life, for example, and she says sharply, "You wouldn't ask that of a male director."

A male director would take a barrage of flak for coming to comparable conclusions.

I don't advocate laws on how many women and male directors there should be.

They got a lot of attention and would have been, I think, real launch pads for young, ambitious male directors.

I think it's because, male director, a little bit suspicious, you know.