6 Bollywood Movies That Were Representation of Modern Day Feminism

The movement of feminism gained incredible popularity due to its large appeal among the masses. It relies on the idea of equality, saying that all genders are equal but will often require extra attention to uplift them. Unlike what many might expect it does not count women as superior, it in fact is trying to fight toxic masculinity that has been harming the male members of the society for centuries. Bollywood too did not back up from using this idea to create works that often surprise the audiences. While Bollywood too has its fair share of sexism, these works are a reminder that we are closer to the threshold of change.

Posted On October 28th, 2020

Thappad

A perfect representation of how women are oppressed not in an extreme but in a routine way. We do not realize how normalized these injustices are until somebody highlights it for us through a case like that of Thappad. A woman has earned the tag of insane because she tried to divorce her husband “for just one slap”.

Lipstick Under My Burkha

Lipstick under my burkha is the story of four women aiming to get something that society has told them is not for them. Empowerment should not only be limited to the things we need but also to the things we want. A reminder that women have desires even though society might look away from it, that women are free to try and steal the freedom that society will devoid it of.

Tumhari Sulu

Representation of housewives becomes scarce in Bollywood. Tumhari Sulu tells the story of a housewife who wants to do more than just the duties designated to her. in Tumhari Sulu, Sulochna explores and widens her world beyond her home and faces unseen restrictions on her way there. A tale of how women can be more than just wives and mothers, Tumhari Sulu is a lighthearted work with a message underlying it.

Bulbul

Set in Tagore’s Bengal, Bulbul brings together injustices of womanhood with spooky and mythological indigenous tales. Here Bulbul is a punisher who has decided to take her revenge on the men who have oppressed her and her sisters. Made of stunning visuals, it is a goosebump giving tale of revenge and serving the justice she did not get.

Pink

This stunning tale of how rape survivors are raped again and again when justice is being delivered. The court does not give the sentence, society does question her life and choices, blaming her for being a woman. Explaining the meaning of consent in one sentence, Pink is a breathtaking story of truth and law.

Begum Jaan

Begum Jaan is a battle for dignity, home and respect. While its critical reception was not exceptional. Yet as a feminist film it appealed to the audience who come to the theatre for drama and not realism. It explains a moment in history where these women decided that even if they have lived with little dignity they will not die the same.