For years, actress, author, and multi-hyphenate artist Suchitra Krishnamoorthi was labeled—too much woman, inconvenient woman, difficult woman. Her early fame, glamorous marriage, and creative success came with an unspoken rulebook: smile more, speak less, fit in. But life’s upheaval—led her to reclaim her voice through art, writing, and unapologetic self-expression. In this candid, fiery, and often funny talk, Suchitra dismantles the stereotypes that silence women, exposes the double standards in how society frames men’s and women’s passion, and offers a rallying cry for “good drama”—the courage to speak up, walk away, and live on your own terms. This is a manifesto for every woman who refuses to shrink, and for everyone ready to rewrite their own story before someone else does it for them. Suchitra Krishnamoorthi is one of India’s most versatile creative voices—an acclaimed actress, singer, author, painter, and theatre artist. Known for her iconic debut in Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, she has since built a diverse career spanning film, music, literature, and stage. A pioneer of Indian pop in the 1990s with chart-topping albums like Dole Dole and Dum Tara, she is also a bestselling author of Drama Queen and other works exploring modern womanhood. Her bold one-woman show Drama Queen: The Musical and recent success with The Odd Couple (2022) showcase her fearless storytelling and reinvention. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx