The Downfall Of Stereotypes

The female characters in Bollywood were typecast hard and consistently across all mainstream movies. You could spot the tropes like the ‘promiscuous hotties,' ‘the simple ones who got a makeover,' ‘the damsels in distress’ and ‘the mothers with god complex.' But now the trends have changed by filming women in an honest role, inspiring other women to be strong, independent, loving and sensitive. Unlike the early portrayal of women as ‘Abla Naari.'

The ’80s and ’90s were full of movies where women were waiting to be rescued from their predicaments by heroes. Then came movies like ‘Mardaani’ revolving around the protagonist, a cop named Shivani Roy who went up against the system and her being a woman never posed a problem, Tabu as Simmi in Andhadhun was impressively self-sufficient and equally evil. Then special mention to Kangana Ranaut’s role in the movie ‘Queen’ can also shoulder their movies turning it into a huge success.

Earlier Bollywood films revolved around women being swept off of their feet and waiting to get married to the hero. However, the leading characters in movies like Mary Kom, Fashion, English-Vinglish worked hard and achieved their goals.

Then comes movies like ‘Raazi’ and ‘Neerja’ showing two young brave ladies, both trying to save their country at the cost of their lives. The character of Tabu in ‘Haider’ and Neena Gupta in ‘Badhaai Ho,’ overcomes the typical character of mothers which was depicted in the ’80s and ’90s.

In Bollywood movies, apparently, every South Indian is a ‘Madrasi’ who is dark and constantly uses ‘Ayyo’ and ‘Amma’ in their conversation. Food habits have also been problematic. Ra-one, Chennai Express, 2 States are some of the movies which reinforce these stereotypes that have been plaguing since eternity.

Karwaan is a 2018 movie removing such stereotypes. It showed Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu in a single movie without any stereotypical notions or eating habits. The movie imbibed the culture, the grand ‘postponed’ wedding.

Movies like Oh My God and PK broke the religious stereotypes on idol worship, blind trust on god and fake priest of spirituality.

Earlier talking on topics such as toilet and especially menstruation were not accepted publicly. But Padman was not only successful in making money but it also reached to the people in a positive manner. This movie was successful in breaking many stereotypes related to periods and women hygiene.