There is a massive shift that is being observed when it comes to the portrayal of female characters in the Indian movie industry. While the Bollywood movies have decided to up their game and realized that the audience is finally open to strong feminine characters, the South is yet to move on from the blatant sexualization.
A while back, we saw a number of female leads in movies like 96 and Aramm, played by Trisha Krishnan and Nayanthara, emerge. Which resonated well with the audience. Even Aishwarya Rai in PS2 was considered a peak portrayal of women.
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However, the women in the current media, such as Janhvi Kapoor in Devara and Sreeleela in the upcoming title Pushpa 2, have been reduced to mere eye candy roles.
The women are there just to be gawked at. And while Bollywood has its own share of such instances, the industry is somehow healing from the phenomenon.
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The recent talents, such as the ones delivered in Laapata Ladies by Nitanshi Goel or even the performance of Shradhha Kapoor in a mass movie like Stree 2, continue to rebuild a reputation.
The fact that there are sheer age differences between the male and female leads is concerning, as the heroes that were romancing stars their own age a decade ago continue to do the same with the freshest talents.
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Sexualization of the female form definitely reduces the quality of the product, and while the age-old saying of “Sex Sells” is real, it is concerning when media has to resort to it over and over again.
