From Damsel in Distress to a Mole in the hole an insight into diversity of portrayal of Indian Women on Bollywood Screen

An insight into diversity of portrayal of Indian Women on Bollywood Screen

Abstract

Cinema has long been a dominant medium of entertainment in India, a country characterized by its vast population and significant socio-economic disparities. It has historically been the most affordable form of leisure, particularly for a society grappling with pervasive poverty and hunger. The relatively low cost of cinema tickets made it accessible to individuals from marginalized economic backgrounds, such as rickshaw pullers and daily wage labourers, who formed a formidable audience and shaped the way characters were depicted on screen. This audience segment played a critical role in shaping cinematic narratives and the depiction of characters on screen. The unparalleled cultural significance of Hindi cinema in India lies in its ability to act as a powerful tool for constructing dominant social images, shaping public opinions, and influencing societal identities. At the same time, it has been instrumental in both challenging and perpetuating social stereotypes. As Gupta and Gupta (2013) observe, "Indian movies have been a vital medium to communicate social insights and conditions while continuing to function as an important mode of entertainment to the masses."