Abstract:

     Hindi Popular Cinema has been the site of an intense interplay of global and local forces following economic liberalization in 1990s that culminated in the acquisition of industrial status in 1998. With the current goal of doubling its share of the global film industry, it is likely that the Hindi film industry will attempt to attract global audiences by adopting increasingly westernized modes of presentation, particularly with regards to the presentation of female characters.  By drawing upon current social theory, we utilize a case study design to analyze transitional patterns in the portrayal of women in popular Hindi films.   Our research question focuses on the extent to which four predominant female roles -- Traditional Hindu, Marginalized, Anglo-Indian, and Westernized -- have been influenced by the interplay of local and global forces between the 1950s and today.  The findings illustrate that although traditional character types have been somewhat resilient in the current era, there has been a key shift in the positioning of female characters though the adoption of Westernized, consumerist patterns of presentation.  We conclude by addressing the implications of our findings for Hindi cinema theory and suggest additional areas of inquiry.

 

Related Cites: 

Schaefer, D. (2005).

Schaefer, D. (2006).

Schaefer, D. and Karan, K. (2008).

Karan, K. and Schaefer, D. (2009a).

Karan, K. and Schaefer, D. (2009b).