Our film industry is popular for its cliched setting, drama, characters, and conclusions. You would think that in this ‘modern’ zamana, there would be a decrease in this style, but no.
In fact, I think it’s on the increase…make more $$ this way I suppose…
Many movies of this day and age are guilty of the cliched portrayal of women, especially the biggies.
Some characters in today’s movies that I (emphasis on the ‘I’) found to be insulting upon my senses are listed below. They have best stood out in my memory and are a terrific example of cliches, highlighting the director’s limited vision. Thus, they’re unforgettable for me. I have only managed to explain in detail about 3 of them, because this 8000 character limit is only in theory…practically, it’s more like 6000.
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
Director: Karan Johar
Characters: Anjali (Kajol), Rahul (SRK), Tina (Rani)
Plot:
Anjali and Tina both love Rahul. Who does he choose?
Anjali: tomboy, naive, smart, loyal, funny, talks a lot, great friend
Tina: pretty, wears short short skirts and skin tight clothing, doesn’t talk as much
who do you think? Tina of course!
Karan Johar just destroyed all efforts by the learned people who try to preach to young girls that beauty is only skin deep. Anjali, when being herself, is totally ignored by Rahul, is laughed at, isn’t taken seriously, and isn’t even considered to have feelings (note when Rahul suddenly goes “I love you”).
Anjali, when dressed as a proper lady, acts girlish, and loses to Rahul during the basketball game; is taken into consideration by Rahul, the shallow freak.
What did this movie say to all of the young girls out there who are confused and conscious about their image?
Never be you. A guy would never want that. He only wants to see you in the way he wants to. So, CHANGE for him
You want a guy’s attention? Don’t try to project your nice personality, no way
Instead, wear the shortest of clothing or, expose your blouse under your sari
Also, to boost the guy’s ego, lose to him in any game you play against him, even though he sucks real bad at it
Beauty IS only skin deep. You will never be noticed otherwise
If you wear shocking pink, you will become a laughing stock, with even your best buddy laughing at you
Great huh?
Mohabbatein
Director: Aditya Chopra
Characters: Vickie (Uday), Ishika (Shamita), Sameer (Jugal), Sanjana (Kim), Karan (Jimmy), Kiran (Preeti), Raj (SRK again), Megha {[(tr)Ash]-Raj’s creative genius}
Plot:
Vickie loves Ishika, Sameer loves Sanjana, Karan loves Kiran, and Raj loves Megha. Yay, one big and happy family! The characterisations of the women? Er…what’s that?
Ishika: wears the tiniest of clothing, is a S-N-O-B and a hypocrite, “why do you guys never examine a girl’s personality? Why do you always go for the one in the shortest skirts?” yeh like you can talk.
Sanju: wears the tiniest of clothing, is a ditz and a hypocrite. Her hypocrisy is seen when she is thrown into the pool and then is over come by lajja. Didn’t she feel ashamed when strutting around her house in one of the shortest shorts known to mankind, even beating Kylie there.
Kiran: is the traditional girl who is soft spoke, weak, doesn’t really have her own opinion –but then, Karan does that for her. Now come on, just because she’s traditional doesn’t mean she cannot be confident, I mean you don’t have to reveal all to be confident like the above two girls.
Megha: Er…who? Oh, you mean the blink ‘n’ miss role by (tr)Ash?(thanks once again to Raj). She’s just stupid. She shows that a girl does not have the strength to survive on her own.
What did this movie teach young confused souls?
You can only get the guy if you flirt shamelessly. Otherwise, no-one is interested
Wear the tiniest amount of clothing, or shed it for the guy
Let the dude make his own judgement of how you should behave and act
However, if you’re the traditional type, don’t seem overconfident. Look like the poor helpless kitten so the guy can force his decisions upon you
You need a guy to make you happy
sigh, do I need to say more?
Main Hoon Na
Director: Farah Khan
Characters: Ram (SRK AGAIN!), Chandni (Sush), Sanjana (Amrita Rao), Lucky (Zayed Khan)
Plot:
Ram loves Chandni. Sanjana loves Lucky. Oh and then, there’s also the other thing about killing of the enemies.
Characterisations of females?
Chandni: apparently teaches chemistry but is mostly seen to be admiring herself when passing mirrors, sings and dances at the college prom, smiles and frowns, cries a bit, does a bit of kamar jhatkas.
Sanjana: is a tomboy (doesn’t that seem familiar), is sensitive, is ignored by Lucky, frail, she then changes to suit Lucky’s ‘taste’ in girls. Although, we never see her ‘true’ persona because she acted like a guy coz her dad wanted a son and then she changed to a girly girl because that’s what Lucky liked. Confused little soul.
What does this say?
If you’re intellectual, the guy wouldn’t give a damn. So, even if you’re a teacher, never act like one. Also, have a fan nearby so your hair will gently flow behind you, making you look even prettier
Don’t say much. Just the necessary dialogues and your wonderful sari should do the trick
CHANGE for your man, he will then notice you. Overdo your kamar jhatkas. Swish your hair about (kinda like Prince Charming in Shrek 2 ^o^)
If you act like your normal self…or the way you always have…only the weirdos(in your opinion) will fall for you, and not the hottest one
On the other hand, you could be a Marsha Brady (Micro Minni) and just admire yourself all day long, and all the guys will do the same ie. Admire you
I expected better from a FEMALE director. But honestly, she’s portrayed most of the females here as complete ditzes. Nothing more, nothing less.
But you know, sometimes the fault lies with the actresses themselves. I mean, take a look at the Mallikas running around. Nice image they're projecting, just be dumb and show some skin eh? And then you have their movies such as Boom, Murder and so on.
Come on now, grow up. Stop these cliches, because you’re sending a message that devalues women and their worth. Young women are influenced each day. Stop this nonsense!
Above were just some. Feel free to suggest more.
