making media

Summary

Bollywood often portrays women through two limiting stereotypes the “Sanskaari Woman” (traditional and obedient) and the “Modern Woman” (independent but morally questioned). These narratives shape societal expectations and reinforce rigid gender norms. To counter this, the industry must embrace diverse storytelling, authentic female characters, and greater representation of women behind the camera. Research shows how media influences perceptions, proving the need for change. By supporting nuanced portrayals and encouraging female-led productions, we can challenge outdated stereotypes and foster inclusivity in Bollywood.

Prompt: /imagine an image of a traditional Indian woman in a sari and the contrast of an Indian cubbing woman in very revealing clothes.

Prompt:a male director directing an actress miss representing her where her roll is only showing her body.

Prompt: an Indiana woman directing an actress representing her in a good way.

Prompt: /imagine an image of a young stereotypical indian woman being sad while watching an indian woman on TV with revealing clothes.

Prompt: \ Imagine the Sanskari woman vs the modern woman side by side, and both are working.

References:

1. Basu, A. (2020). Gender Roles in Indian Cinema: A Study of Representation in Bollywood Films. Journal of Media Studies, 15(3), 45-62.: Only 25% of significant speaking roles in Bollywood are female, highlighting gender imbalance. This leads to shallow character development and reinforces stereotypes. Increasing female representation on-screen is necessary to depict realistic, multidimensional women rather than one-dimensional roles defined by traditional gender expectations.
2. Sarkar, R. (2021). Media Influence on Gender Perceptions Among Indian Youth. Social Change and Media Journal, 19(4), 112-134: A survey found that 78% of young Indian women feel societal pressure due to Bollywood’s depiction of female roles. The dominance of submissive or hypersexualized portrayals shapes real-life perceptions, making it crucial for filmmakers to showcase diverse, empowering narratives that reflect modern women’s true experiences.
3. Chatterjee, M. (2022). Women Behind the Camera: The Impact of Female Filmmakers on Gender Representation in Bollywood. Indian Journal of Film Studies, 27(1), 88-101.: Research indicates that films directed by women present more complex female characters. When women are involved in storytelling, narratives shift towards depth, agency, and empowerment. This proves the need for increased female participation in the industry to challenge stereotypes and promote more accurate representations.