Aashima Keswani is passionate about media, gender equality and human rights. She enjoys theatre and finds computer science fascinating. Currently, Aashima is in the 12th grade at The International School Bangalore. She hopes to become a human rights lawyer in the future.
Introduction
Bollywood is one of the world’s largest film industries in terms of the number of movies released per year and by the amount of annual revenues generated. However, it is also a perpetrator of existing prejudices and violence against women in India. This involves positive depictions of dominating men who create a cycle of unjust treatment, and physical violence or aggression towards women. Hence, Bollywood can be considered an agent among a myriad of complex social forces in Indian society that allow women to experience sexism of various kinds, including physical violence and harassment.
This research paper will analyze Bollywood’s role in perpetuating regressive gender norms, particularly physical violence against women. Specifically, the scope of this research paper will focus on the positive portrayal of physical violence against women in Bollywood films. By exploring current guidelines in promoting gender-positive content in India, this paper will propose policy recommendations and government interventions.
The Current Scenario
Statistics indicate that 2 out of 3 women in India experience physical violence or aggression by men in their lifetime. Furthermore, India was ranked the most dangerous country for women due to high rates of sexual violence, human trafficking, and female infanticide (Reuters 2019). The factors that shape and propagate India’s culture of violence towards women are many and diverse. These include patriarchal laws within the Indian legal system, corrupt law enforcement, cultural traditions such as the dowry system, certain religious doctrines spread across all major religions in India and the lack of concepts of gender equality and sexual rights in Indian public-school curriculums.
In this soci0-cultural scenario, some Bollywood movies act as agents in perpetrating negative social norms and perceptions around women’s position in Indian society. Indeed, the National Crime Records Bureau of India has noted that Indian women are often assaulted by men whose intents are to “outrage [their] modesty”. Hence the type of crimes committed against Indian women – which include stalking, acid attacks, voyeurism, honor killings, female infanticide, sex-selection abortions and rape – reflect the unequal and vulnerable position that women generally occupy in Indian society.
For analyzing the gender bias portrayed in movies, the WEAT score can be useful. Using the English subtitles of the highest-grossing Indian movies, the WEAT Score uses a mathematical complex to calculate the male bias in a movie. In a comparison between the highest-grossing Bollywood, Hollywood, and World Media, Bollywood movies had the highest WEAT Score (Greater positive bias towards men) in comparison with the other media industries.
While the industry is problematic, it is essential to note that not all Bollywood films depict violence against women. This research paper will focus on exploring certain traits within some Bollywood films that have been criticized for perpetuating harmful stereotypes about gender-based roles and glorifying such actions. Specifically, it will analyze how Bollywood films can strongly encourage the sexual objectification of women through specific aspects within story narratives.
For one, in some Bollywood movies, physical violence against women is portrayed as a routine occurrence in some Bollywood movies. It is often used for dramatic effect without addressing the consequences or the seriousness of such actions. This normalization can desensitize the audience to the real-world impact of violence against women. The movie Humpty Sharma ki Dulhania portrays the male protagonist in a positive light in the form of a physically violent and dominating lead character (played by Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan).
Additionally, many Bollywood films include item songs, a term often used to refer to musical scenarios that objectify dancing women through physical aggression or harassment. These songs are known for their sexualized and demeaning imagery and lyrics, contributing to the sexual objectification of women in Indian cinema. An example of this can include Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor’s performance in the song ‘Chikni Chameli’[1]. In it, the actress portrays a dancer who is leered at and at times physically harassed by male onlookers as she dances to a sexually suggestive song.
Furthermore, a subset of Bollywood films have perpetuated regressive narratives where women are subjected to domestic violence, and their suffering is shown in a melodramatic or sensationalized manner. Such depictions risk perpetuating harmful stereotypes and minimizing the seriousness of the issue. Moreover, such storylines often portray female victims of physical violence at the hands of male perpetrators as forgiving of these incidents. This further reinforces the social messaging that such behavior from male perpetrators is normal.
Existing Government Regulations
Currently, India does not have explicit laws that guide the portrayal of physical violence against women in films. However, some regulatory mechanisms and guidelines exist. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)[2] plays a pivotal role in certifying films for public exhibition. It can recommend cuts or alterations based on concerns related to content, including gendered portrayals. The CBFC operates under the Cinematograph Act, of 1952, which provides the legal framework for the certification and exhibition of films in India.
Films that depict women in derogatory or exploitative ways may therefore face certification challenges. The 1986 Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act bans depiction in any manner of the figure of a woman; her form or body or any part thereof in such a way as to have the effect of being indecent, or derogatory to, or denigrating women, or is likely to deprave, corrupt or injure the public morality or morals. It includes penalties of imprisonment from 6 months to 5 years and a fine of 10,000 to 1,000,000 Indian rupees. Organizations such as the Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) have formulated guidelines to promote gender-positive content. However, the extent to which these guidelines are adhered to remains a matter of industry practice. Decisions often depend on the individual interpretation of the board members and can sometimes appear arbitrary.
In terms of the Gender-Based pay disparity, two main acts exist in favour of equal pay rights. The Equal Remuneration Act, established in 1976, prohibits discrimination in remuneration based on gender and mandates employers to provide equal pay for equal work. This implies that male and female actors performing similar roles with similar levels of skill and responsibility should be paid equally. The 1948 Minimum Wages Act does not specifically address gender-based disparities. This act set a minimum wage requirement that all employers must pay to employees and aims to ensure all workers, irrespective of gender receive minimum wage.
Moreover, the #MeToo movement in 2018 impacted the Bollywood Industry. This movement led to discussions and accountability about gender disparities and encouraged women working within the industry to discuss their stories of sexual violence and harassment.
Policy recommendations
- Equal Pay Audits and Transparency
Insightful metrics regarding the current scenario in Bollywood around gender disparity is pay disparity. Multiple top celebrities have made public statements regarding the disparities they have faced in the industry. Bollywood actress Tapsee Panu stated that men who started work in the industry at the same time as her earn 3-5 times more than her. Experts recommend that reducing pay disparity between men and women will positively affect social perceptions around the latter.
To address this, implementing mandatory equal pay audits for Bollywood productions would require producers to disclose salary information and ensure that male and female actors receive equitable compensation for similar roles and responsibilities. This would further establish transparent reporting mechanisms that publicly disclose gender pay disparities in films and promote accountability within the industry.
- Gender Sensitivity Training
Mandating gender sensitivity training for all industry professionals would help raise awareness about gender biases and stereotypes. This would raise awareness about gender biases and stereotypes. This would further help with the on-screen portrayal of women as well and ensure that more movies portray gender positive media which is consumed by the Indian population.
- Gender-Positive Industry Guidelines and Codes of Conduct
Developing and enforcing industry-specific guidelines and codes of conduct which address gender-based discrimination and harassment could help provisions for fair pay and respectful treatment of women on and off-screen.
- Affirmative Action through Leadership Roles for Women
Encourage the appointment of women in leadership positions, both in production houses and film-related organizations, to influence decision-making processes and promote gender-inclusive practices within the industry.
Conclusion
India is a country where media has an unparalleled impact on shaping societal norms and perceptions. As the influence of digital globalization rapidly increases, it becomes crucial to understand sexism in Bollywood to offset negative societal impacts. Media is critical in reflecting the society they are shown to, as well as shaping and influencing this society. While progress has been made recently, the industry still contains heavy influences of gender bias, unequal pay, and objectification of women both in on-screen portrayals and behind-the-scenes roles.
In recent years, there has been increased awareness and advocacy for more responsible and respectful portrayals of women in Bollywood movies. This has led to a growing emphasis on empowering female characters, telling stories of resilience and strength, and addressing the negative impact of violence against women on individuals and society.
While the portrayal of physical violence against women in Bollywood movies remains a topic of concern, it’s crucial to acknowledge the industry’s capacity to influence and change societal norms. As public awareness and conversations around gender-related issues continue to grow, Bollywood is also experiencing a transformation in its storytelling and representation of women.
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[1] “Chikni Chameli.” Youtube, uploaded by SonyMusicIndiaVevo, 26 September 2013.
[2] THE CINEMATOGRAPH ACT, 1952, https://www.cbfcindia.gov.in/cbfcAdmin/assets/pdf/cine_act1952.pdf