Research Symposium

BIO

I am a sophomore studying biochemistry at Florida State University. Once I graduate, I'd like to get some real world experience before coming back and furthering my studies.

Representation of Women in Bollywood Films

Abstract

Bollywood films are most popular in India but due to the expansion in the global market, we have seen a rise of such films in the United States especially. While our research is primarily on how female characters are being portrayed by female directors, it is important to understand why such research is relevant. Most commonly, women are portrayed as distressed damsels or submissive to their male counterparts in historical Indian cinema. Not only does this reinforce negative stereotypes, but it does not provide a positive image of women to potentially young and impressionable audiences. Despite these harmful depictions, the Bollywood industry has a mass following and continues to be a lucrative asset--proving its global impact. Suffice to say, the impact of how women are portrayed in Bollywood films is crucial to shaping how they are perceived outside of the cinema. In analyzing several films directed by female directors, our research has illuminated whether or not these depictions are maintained or changed and how that has impacted future perceptions of women.

Keywords: Bollywood, Films, India, Women in film