CHANGING ROLE OF WOMEN IN HINDI CINEMA

-A critical analysis of top 10 women-centric movies with aspecial case study on the not-so-successful movie- LAJJA

The Hindi film industry is brandedfor creating movies from a maleperspective. The women's storiesare not really exemplifiedconscientiously. But, out of theblue, the souk of women-centricflicks is fast turning out to be abankable genre.

TOP 10 WOMEN-CENTRIC MOVIES OF

BOLLYWOOD

MOTHER INDIA (1957)

With ever present male-dominance in thesociety, the need of resurrecting animagery of a God like and ferocious womanwas essential. The male class was corruptand polluted. Women were always knownfor being the ultimate Sacrificer, Caregiverand Nurturer in the Hindu society,therefore digesting the idea ofrepresenting a woman as the protagonistof the movie was challenging yet overtlysuccessful.

AANDHI (1975)

Aandhi isn't a political film, as much as it isa study of the breakdown of a marriageand the struggle between patriarchal andindividualistic values. Suchitra Sen'sportrayal of a lady who's torn betweenprofessional ambition and personalgratification is very powerful. She opts forthe former. Sen makes her choice seemperfectly natural. It is these qualities, andnot its sensational value that give Aandhi atimeless appeal.

BHUMIKA:THE ROLE (1977)

Smita Patil was just 22 when sheessayed this National Award-winningpart. Benegal chose her over older,established actresses, a testimony toher enormous talent. It was tobecome a career-defining role, inwhich she played a character whomust reject the structure of marriageand family in order to find herself.

ARTH (1982)

Shabana Azmi plays the role of a loving housewife who's betrayed by her husband for an actress played by Smita Patil. This film is all about her struggle to get back on track and fight against all odds to lead an independent and successful life. It also touches upon the issue of domestic violence faced by the lower strata of the Indian society.

MIRCH MASALA (1987)

What's so beautiful about this film is SmitaPatil's portrayal of a fierce anduncompromisingly proud women whofights for control over her sexualityagainst great odds as well as the slow butsure recognition by the women of thevillage that they need to take control oftheir own destiny, that the patriarchalsystem is failing them once again, evenabandoning its traditional andstereotypical role of "protecting" thewomen folk against others.

DAMINI (1993)

Damini makes a point of theoutspoken woman, who dares speakagainst the 'patriarchal powers' thatbe, being punished for daring to makeher voice heard. Meenakshi'sportrayal of Damini was just right, somuch passion, so much guilt, you feelevery bit of her anguish/inner turmoilon what choice she should make.

CHANDNI BAR (2001)

Despite the fact that CHANDNIBAR explores the darker side ofsociety and is slightly heavy anddepressing in its narrative, there'sno denying that it's a well-madefilm that is sure to win plaudits bythose who appreciate good,realistic cinema.

THE DIRTY PICTURE (2011)

In a country of repressed sexuality,Vidya's role was a breath of fresh air andher cheeky lines were an instant hit. Thebarefaced demeanor of the film candidlyhighlights the exploits of the industryand the unapologetic attitude of itsfemale protagonist. And since the film ismore a behind-the-scene account of Silkthan her onscreen antics, it touchesmore than titillating.

KAHANI(2012)

KAHAANI is a captivating recountfrom its commencement toconclusion. Sujoy has fashionedenough scenes around the plot thatkeep the viewer on the edge. Besides,fragments of tongue in cheek humorpop up when you least anticipate toliven up the solemn plot. Yet, thestoryteller never deviates from thefundamental somber remise.

ENGLISH VINGLISH (2012)

Ultimately, what make EnglishVinglish memorable are the small, step-by-stepchoices Shashi makes to transforms herself.Yes, there’s grit there, but it’s tempered withcompassion and dignity. The way the characterhas been crafted by Shinde, and interpreted bySridevi, is gloriously feminine, and uniquelyIndian.Indian screen legend Sridevi triumphs ina gentle, but affecting, story of a woman’sawakening self-respect. She's vulnerable andsad, yet selfless and strong, in the way we allknow our mothers to be. She imbues Shashi'squest for respect with genuine emotion.

: A not-so-successful Hindi movie

Lajja…

loud because it

needs to be

heard

It is a brave and sincere attempton the part of Raj KumarSantoshi, trying to make amainstream film that showcasesmany different faces ofoppression of women acrosssocial strata in our country. Manycritics have called it loud andmelodramatic.

LAJJA

THEME 1

'Say no to womanizing husbands'

THEME 2

'Say no to dowry'

THEME 3

'If men never have to prove their chastity, why women?'

THEME 4

'Me thakur, you dalit : Me human being, You animal!'

On the whole, LAJJA is apurposeful film withincommercial parameters and thebest part is that the Indianmasses will be able to identifywith the goings-on. To be fair to it,

Lajja is a well-intentioned effort,

aimed at raising the levels of social

consciousness of the cinema-

going public.