Objectification in Bollywood

People may mock actresses. They may argue that movies are just movies and have nothing to do with perpetuating the objectification of women. But the fact remains that film is a soft medium capable of being very influential on peoples’ opinions. This is evident in the high number of crimes against women reported in India each year. This is evident in the fact that Indian men especially find it acceptable to post misogynistic polls and questions on the bodies of actresses. They find no problem in responded in sexist ways to random women on Twitter. This online abuse towards women stems from the portrayal of women in Bollywood film as flimsy. and willing to fall into the arms of men. This is a dangerous narrative that Bollywood continues to put forward simply in order to maximise profits.

The standard plotline, as mentioned above, often plays the hero ‘stalking’ the female as something normal and even desired.

But in real life this is terrifying. No woman wants to experience this. No woman wants this. The objectification and borderline sexual harassment shown in Bollywood movies translate to the behavior of men in real life. While there is no definitive correlation between movies and crimes against women in India, films reflect our society and online attacks easily turn into physical ones. Society thinks women must submit to men. Subsequently, women should have covered up, not been out that late etc., there is a whole host of victim blaming.

This is directed at the woman and almost never the man. The plotline lapped up by the audience rarely plays out in real life.

You have a powerful, strong male lead and a doting submissive female. There is a particularly objectifying item song. The way the male protagonist usually pursues the female, for example, is in no way healthy. When it comes to movie roles, there are few strong female leads. Stereotype is rife.

Subsequently careers crumble for actresses who refuse to conform. Replacement is easy.

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