Karisha Jade

Female objectification and hyper sexualisation in the Bollywood movie industry has been a persistent issue for many years. The representation of women in Bollywood movies often reinforces harmful stereotypes and reinforces patriarchal norms. And yet we’re here waiting for the obvious to be addressed. Why?

One of the main ways in which women are objectified in Bollywood movies is through the way they are portrayed on screen. Female characters are often shown in overly sexualized clothing and poses, and are used as decorative props in scenes rather than being developed as fully realized characters. Bollywood tends to stem from the idea of a dream world with unrealistic romantic ideals. Therefore, women are often shown in subservient roles to men, and their actions and decisions are often dictated by male characters throughout the film.

Another way that women are objectified in Bollywood movies is through the use of item numbers, which are musical numbers that feature a female performer dancing provocatively in a highly sexualized manner. These numbers have become a staple in Bollywood movies, but they often serve to objectify and sexualize women rather than to advance the plot or develop the characters. Many of which have a man touching her body all over, her playing hard to get and then all of a sudden he exerts his dominance and ends up getting his way. Arguably, some of these scenes could be viewed as empowering for a woman, she’s beautiful, clearly irresistible and has a sort of sexual power over them. But, my argument still stands that this dream-like fantasy world only creates a more dangerous society for women. And this leads me onto the question as to why the Bollywood industry continues to make toxic relationship/gender role focused films rather than adapting to society and coving topics that are affecting India as a whole. Why aren’t we protecting our women? The same goes for the off-screen representation; women being unpaid and passed over for lead roles.

The negative impact on women in India as a whole has caused a multitude of follow up events. Many of which women are stating that the Bollywood industry play a part of. Women in the Indian society are already facing discrimination and inequality, yet they must also worry about how they dress otherwise it allows men to have them. In a society where women are primarily used for their sexual appeal and stripped of their thoughts, feelings, body and values, where exactly do they stand?

I do believe that the movie industry plays a massive role towards the mindset of men throughout India. And I do believe that the government must learn to protect their women better. Bollywood needs to change things around in terms of gender roles, sexualisation and having more female directors. Furthermore, REALISTIC movies must be made about some of what women are having to face as a daily struggle. It’s understandable that people want to escape the real world and dream about romance, but to what extent must we do this and ALLOW women to be attacked, murdered and trafficked for sexual pleasure?

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Change.org petition link to stop rape in India by death penalty and changing society. Read more here: https://chng.it/KDppXzSgKz