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Bollywood still considers women to be nothing but metrosexual-men-chasers who can only dress up and dance with machismos when they take a break from fighting comical villains.
After trying very hard to avoid the trailer of Heropanti 2 (2022), I finally ended up watching it because of how good Bollywood is at marketing and promoting male-centric films.
It broke my heart to see that despite the criticism that Indian films have been receiving for treating women like mere beautifying props, Heropanti 2 does the exact same thing in a boastfully shameless manner. In fact, it goes a step further and creates a melodramatic and senseless caricature for a woman out of Tara Sutaria.
Sutaria’s character seems to be head over heels in love with Tiger Shroff’s character in the trailer. She has only two dialogues, “Love and Sex could’ve happened between us, but you ran away,” and “When I had asked you to pull your pants down, you were acting shy (‘Pakeezah’) and when she asked for the same, you suddenly became ‘Dirty Picture’.”
This goes on to prove how Bollywood still considers women to be nothing but metrosexual-men-chasers who can only dress up and dance with machismos when they take a break from fighting comical villains (at this point, even Nawazuddin Siddiqui seems to be a joke).
Also, what’s with the filmmakers trying hard to make Suratia sound both desperate and dumb? Is that all a woman can be?
While Heropanti 2 does this openly, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 remains slightly more subtle about the same.
Despite there being talented women like Tabu and Kiara Advani in the film who have proven their caliber time and again, Kartik Aaryan who has only given mediocre performances so far remains the center of attention in the film. While Tabu is introduced in the trailer only to make random announcements about a spirit named ‘Manjoolika’, Advani is only shown to be someone who flirts, jokes, and dances with Aaryan.
Of course, Advani isn’t entirely dehumanised in the film, but is still treated as much less than Aaryan which should be concerning for all of us.
It must also be noted that Kartik Aaryan, once again, plays the role of an irresponsible casanova who can get away with almost anything in India. His act of fooling a woman in order to receive a physical embrace from her is treated as a comical element. Alongside that, the title song ‘Hare Ram’ of the first film of the franchise has been recreated to make him appear more heroic.
This brings us to the question about why Bollywood films still feel the need to glorify male characters so much?
A literature student who spends most of her time watching (and thinking about) Bollywood films. read more...
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If you want to get back to work after a break, here’s the ultimate guide to return to work programs in India from tech, finance or health sectors - for women just like you!
Last week, I was having a conversation with a friend related to personal financial planning and she shared how she had had fleeting thoughts about joining work but she was apprehensive to take the plunge. She was unaware of return to work programs available in India.
She had taken a 3-year long career break due to child care and the disconnect from the job arena that she spoke about is something several women in the same situation will relate to.
More often than not, women take a break from their careers to devote time to their kids because we still do not have a strong eco-system in place that can support new mothers, even though things are gradually changing on this front.
A married woman has to wear a sari, sindoor, mangalsutra, bangles, anklets, and so much more. What do these ornaments have to do with my love, respect, and commitment to my husband?
They: Are you married? Me: Yes They: But You don’t look like it Me: (in my Mind) Why should I?
Why is being married not enough for a woman, and she needs to look married too? I am tired of such comments in the nearly four years of being married.
I believe that anything that is forced is not right. I must have a choice. I am a living human, not a puppet. And I am not stopping anyone by not following any tradition. You are free to do whatever you like to do. But do not force others. It’s depressing.