Representation of Women in Bollywood

Cinema is meant and believed to entertain. It is a popular media of mass consumption which plays a key role in molding opinions, constructing images and reinforcing dominant cultural values. The representation of women characters in the main stream bollywood movies. Hindi cinema has been a major point of reference for Indian culture in this century. It has shaped and expressed the changing scenario of modern India to an extent. Bollywood cinema has influenced the way in which people perceive various aspects of their own life. Bollywood’s journey is nearly hundred years.
Bollywood has been essentially male-centric, leaving a little space for the female counterparts to evolve and grow as performers. In earlier films, they were based on mythology or historic kind, where male were given importance and female were showcased here and there. Now, it’s different. As women in India redefined the status and role in the society, it is seemed to be reflected in the films as well. But up to what extent is it true it should be a healthy practice. There is no reason to think women as sensitive creatures and huddled behind a veil.
The way of living of real life women is the inspiration for reel life act. But is it an exact portrayal of what we see in real life? The changes found in the characterization of women in the last decade are vast. WOMEN CENTRIC FILMS During 2002 – 2012, there is a lot of notable women centric films. Women being protagonist is either portrayed as a positive or negative character. But there are also movies like “JODHA-AKBAR” which is not under this category but the characterization of Jodha, makes us feel that movie is being pulled by her.

Likewise, “ROCKSTAR” the entire movie is scripted on the heroin; but the character of her is negative (i. e. against the social ethics). Women are either portrayed as modern life “Sati-Savithri’s” or entirely the negative version. But women are hardly portrayed as they are in real life. The movies are made for the audience. Therefore, they portray in such a way , how they could grab the attention of their audience. There is a blind mindset always makes the filmmakers to insists their heroin to dress up in more of glamour kind.
The teenagers are also found to be in modern outfits. But, not as they portray in cinema. WOMEN IN REALISTIC FILMS In real life depicted films like “RAAJNEETHI” , “SARKAR” , “SARKAR-RAJ” women are showcased boldly and courageously. In a movie like “GURU”, the women’s role is soft and subtle. This type of characterizations inspires and develops the respect for women in society. Like wise, movies like “RAAGINI MMS” should not be encouraged. They should be a ban. As this will definitely have affect on the social dignity of women.