MHAARI CHHORIYAAN CHHORON SE KAM HAI KE
Dangal
We have always heard that Indian cinema is the foundation of building gender stereotypes and over the years it has influenced a lot of people and their mind set to revolve around a particular image of women. But, this iconic dialogue of the movie ‘Dangal’ holds the power of breaking the chain of stereotypes. These 7 words have the strength and the capability to question the thought process of the entire society who claim that men are more capable than women.
There is no denying in the fact that there were times when Indian cinema has supported stereotypes through dialogues or scenes but it has also taken steps towards redefining their image and starting a fight against set stereotypes.
Recently, Indian cinema has taken initiatives by directing movies which questions the orthodox thinking we all persist. Movies like “KI and KA”, “DUM LAGA KE HAISHA”, “PIKU” and many more are examples of bringing and accepting modern thinking or rather say it as accurate thinking.
STEREOTYPING GENDER ROLE
We live in a 21st century but it is bizarre that we still believe that women cannot lead a family or is capable of handling a position which we call it as “head of the family”. Bollywood cinema has always been put to question because of the less screen time for women in the movies but cinema like Queen, Piku, Mardani, Bulbul and many more are the prominent example of how the era of Bollywood cinema is changing and taking a step into the golden age.
We live in a pre-designed format that men are brought up to work and earn and women for handling household but movies like ‘KI and KA’ have helped in breaking the chain of this stereotype. The movie portrays the idea that how important it is to normalize the idea of men sitting at home for household and women running out for work. The question is not only about wrong portrayal of women but men too. We need to understand all this setup of gender roles is to be decided by choice and not by enforcing some orthodox thinking.
STEREOTYPICAL BODY IMAGING
Over the years, Indian cinema has defined an ideal body type for both women and men. Women are expected to be delicate and what we call it as “sanskaari” and on the other hand, men are assumed to be macho and fearless. But, Indian cinema like “DUM LAGA KE HAISHA” has defied all these body imaging stereotypes.
Both the lead actors Bhumi Pednekar and Ayushman Khurrana were the exact opposite of the human mind typecasting. The bold personality of both the actors have captured the attention of the public. The movie leads the way for breaking stereotypes by giving a message that there is so much more to life other than fixing yourself for somebody else.
STEREOTYPES LINKED TO RELIGIONS
Religion is a very sensitive topic in our country. People are afraid to put their points up or share their opinions linked to religious issues. As, you never know how your words could be twisted and portrayed in a way you never assumed. There is a tendency in humans which resists them to understand they are wrong.
Religion issues are the victims of that tendency. Movie named “MY NAME IS KHAN” is the answer to all the stereotyping done in the name of religion. The movie not only stands for breaking religion stereotypes but also address the issues like racism. There are movies which have influenced us in thinking that people belonging to ‘Muslim’ religion are our enemies.
MY NAME IS KHAN AND I AM NOT A TERRORIST
This single dialogue in the movie holds the potential to fight against all the religion barriers put on people and their mind set.
STEREOTYPES RELATED TO MYTHOLOGY
Mythology is a very interesting topic to learn about but our society has associated a lot of myths with it. Bollywood movie “PK” has broken all the myths and stereotypical attitude people have towards our mythology. The movie discussed the issue where people start to engage themselves in the practices led by priests claiming to connect them with God. There have been a lot of instances where our society trusted and got into a race of disbelief.
Kaun Hindu, kaun Musalman… Thappa kidhar hai dikha… Ye farak bhagwan nahi tum log banaya hai… Aur yahi is gola ka sabse danger wrong number hai.
This dialogue from the movie alone was capable for breaking all the myths and superstitions people had against religion and believe in God.
STEREOTYPICAL UNDERSTANDING OF NO MEANS YES
In this modern society we live in, people have a tendency of not taking a ‘NO’ for an answer and that is a reason a myth was established years ago that “NO means YES”. But the Indian cinema has broken this stereotype with the movie “PINK”. The movie clearly acknowledged the fact that consent is the most crucial and important thing when involved with someone. The dialogue
NO MEANS NO
Holds the power to make each and everyone understand that consent is the priority and its high time we start respecting what others want or what they choose.
We all have been in a position where we begged for second chances and you get them, the feeling can’t be explained.
Today, Indian cinema stands in a position where it asks for second chances for redefining the stereotypes it might have supported. Bollywood industry over the years have improved the idea of accepting and not fixing. There are movies which were not loved because of the actors and the actresses but for the bold personality and storyline of the movies.
The goal has been initiated of fighting back against the sexist portrayal of both men and women in our society. Indian cinema wishes to break each and every chain of stereotypes and bring out an outcome which we can proudly call ideal. Chances is something we all deserve and as an active audience we should know, Indian cinema deserves it too because
“PICTURE TOH ABHI BAAKI HAI MERE DOST”
