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{{AI-generated|date=October 2024}}
{{use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
'''Sexism in Hindi cinema''' refers to [[Gender inequality in India|gender discrimination]] and stereotyping prevalent in the [[Hindi cinema|Hindi film industry]] of India, popularly known as Bollywood. This includes the [[Women in film|portrayal of women in films]], gender disparities behind the camera, and broader issues of representation and bias.<ref name="bbc">{{cite web |title=Why Bollywood remains 'sexist and regressive' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-66153598 |website=BBC News |date=2023-07-05 |access-date=2024-07-19}}</ref>

== History ==

The portrayal of women in Bollywood has evolved significantly since the industry's inception. Early Bollywood films often depicted women in stereotypical and subordinate roles, reflecting the patriarchal values of Indian society at the time.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

=== Early era (1930s–1960s) ===
In the early years of Bollywood, women were often depicted as virtuous and [[Self-sacrifice|self-sacrificing]] figures, conforming to traditional gender roles. They were primarily shown as [[Pati Parmeshwar and Majazi Khuda|devoted wives]], mothers, and daughters who upheld family honor and values.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}} Films like ''[[Mother India]]'' (1957) exemplified this trend, portraying women as the backbone of the family and the nation.<ref name="dailystar">{{cite web |title=Feminism and Bollywood: How the portrayal of women has evolved |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/entertainment/tv-film/news/feminism-and-bollywood-how-the-portrayal-women-has-evolved-3265961 |website=The Daily Star |date=2023-03-08 |access-date=2024-07-19}}</ref>

=== 1970s–1980s ===
The 1970s and 1980s saw a shift towards more complex portrayals of women, although they were still often confined to traditional roles. During this period, women were frequently depicted as suffering silently and enduring hardships, only to be redeemed through male intervention or supernatural means.<ref name="vogue">{{cite web |title=How leading roles for women in Bollywood have evolved over the years |url=https://www.vogue.in/content/how-leading-roles-for-women-female-actors-in-bollywood-movies-have-evolved-over-the-years-kangana-ranaut-queen-sridevi-chandni |website=Vogue India |date=15 March 2019 |access-date=2024-07-19}}</ref> Films like ''[[Seeta Aur Geeta]]'' (1972) and ''[[Jai Santoshi Maa]]'' (1975) highlighted this trend, portraying women as virtuous and patient figures who ultimately found happiness through conformity to societal norms.<ref name="dailystar" />

=== 1990s ===
The 1990s introduced a blend of traditional and modern portrayals of women. While some films continued to depict women in stereotypical roles, others began to show women as more independent and career-oriented, though still often subordinate to men.<ref name="fii">{{cite web |title=Bollywood And The Portrayal Of Women Characters Over The Years |url=https://feminisminindia.com/2023/05/11/bollywood-and-the-portrayal-of-women-characters-over-the-years/ |website=Feminism in India |date=2023-05-11 |access-date=2024-07-19}}</ref> Films like ''[[Mohra]]'' (1994) showcased women in strong roles but often reduced their characters to visual appeal and dance sequences.

=== 2000s–present ===
In recent decades, there has been a significant shift towards more nuanced and empowered portrayals of women in Bollywood. Female characters are increasingly depicted as strong, independent, and central to the narrative. This change has been driven by the emergence of female filmmakers and actors who have challenged traditional gender norms.<ref name="filmcompanion">{{cite web |title=The Evolution Of Women In Bollywood |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/evolution-women-bollywood |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313210212/https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/evolution-women-bollywood |archive-date=13 March 2023 |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Film Companion|date=6 March 2023 }}</ref> Films like ''[[Queen (2014 film)|Queen]]'' (2014), ''[[Pink (2016 film)|Pink]]'' (2016), and ''[[Chhapaak]]'' (2020) have highlighted women's issues and showcased female protagonists in leading roles.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

== Gender disparities ==

===Pay gap===
{{See also|Gender pay gap in India}}

====Extent====
Numerous Bollywood actresses have spoken out about the significant pay disparity in the industry. For instance, [[Lara Dutta]] has highlighted that actresses are often paid only one-tenth of what male actors earn.<ref name="toi">{{cite web |title=Lara Dutta opens up on the PAY disparity in Bollywood |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/lara-dutta-opens-up-on-the-pay-disparity-in-bollywood-says-actresses-are-paid-one-tenth-of-the-male-actor/articleshow/109808725.cms |website=Times of India |date=2023-07-05 |access-date=2024-07-19}}</ref> Similarly, [[Kriti Sanon]] has expressed her frustration over the significant pay gap, noting that some male actors earn ten times more than their female co-stars, even when their recent performances do not justify such differences.<ref name="sanon">{{cite web |title=Kriti Sanon opens up about the gender pay gap in the industry |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/kriti-sanon-opens-up-about-the-gender-pay-gap-in-the-industry-reveals-actresses-take-pay-cuts-for-female-led-films/articleshow/110036668.cms |website=Times of India |date=2023-07-05 |access-date=2024-07-19}}</ref>

====High-profile cases====
Prominent actresses such as [[Priyanka Chopra]] and [[Deepika Padukone]] have also voiced their concerns regarding pay inequality. Despite their box-office success and international recognition, they have reported being paid significantly less than their male co-stars.<ref name="forbes">{{cite web |title=In India, The Gender Pay Gap Extends Even To Bollywood |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/suparnadutt/2017/08/30/in-india-the-gender-pay-gap-extends-even-to-bollywood/ |website=Forbes |date=2017-08-30 |access-date=2024-07-19}}</ref> Chopra, for example, revealed that she was paid only 10 percent of what her male co-actors earned.<ref name="indiewire">{{cite web |title=Priyanka Chopra Jonas Reveals Bollywood Gender Pay Gap |url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/priyanka-chopra-jonas-bollywood-gender-pay-gap-1234789268/ |website=IndieWire |date=2023-07-05 |access-date=2024-07-19}}</ref>

====Industry practices====
The pay gap is not limited to a few high-profile cases but is a widespread issue across the industry. Historical instances, such as [[Karan Johar]] dropping [[Kareena Kapoor Khan|Kareena Kapoor]] from ''[[Kal Ho Naa Ho|Kal Ho Na Ho]]'' for asking for equal pay as [[Shah Rukh Khan]], illustrate the entrenched nature of this disparity.<ref name="forbes" /> Actresses like [[Kangana Ranaut]] have also demanded equal pay following their successful films, yet the industry has been slow to change.<ref name="forbes" />

====Impact on female-led films====
The pay gap also affects the production of female-led films. Producers often allocate smaller budgets for films featuring female leads, which results in actresses taking pay cuts to ensure the film's completion.<ref name="sanon" /> This unequal investment further perpetuates the cycle of pay disparity and limits opportunities for female actors to take on leading roles.

====Calls for change====
There is a growing movement within Bollywood to address and rectify the gender pay gap. Actresses, filmmakers, and activists are increasingly vocal about the need for equitable pay and representation. Some progress has been made, with female-led films achieving box-office success and challenging traditional industry norms.<ref name="forbes" />

=== Ageism ===
Ageism intersects with sexism in Bollywood, with older female actors having fewer opportunities compared to their male counterparts.<ref name="bbc" />

== Cultural impact ==

=== Reinforcing societal norms ===
Bollywood films, given their widespread popularity, play a significant role in shaping and reinforcing societal norms and attitudes towards gender roles.<ref name="nature" />

=== Influence on beauty standards ===
The portrayal of women in Bollywood has been linked to the promotion of certain beauty standards, including a [[Discrimination based on skin tone|preference for lighter skin tones]].<ref name="Gender bias, social bias, and repre">{{cite journal |last1=Khadilkar |first1=Kunal |last2=KhudaBukhsh |first2=Ashiqur R. |last3=Mitchell |first3=Tom M. |title=Gender bias, social bias, and representation in Bollywood and Hollywood |journal=Patterns |volume=3 |issue=2 |year=2022 |article-number=100430 |issn=2666-3899 |doi=10.1016/j.patter.2021.100430 |doi-access=free |doi-broken-date=12 July 2025 }}</ref>

== Changing trends ==

=== Woman-centric films ===
In recent years, there has been a rise in woman-centric films that challenge traditional narratives and stereotypes.<ref name="bbc" /> Examples include:
* ''[[Queen (2014 film)|Queen]]'' (2014)
* ''[[Pink (2016 film)|Pink]]'' (2016)
* ''[[Chhapaak]]'' (2020)

=== Increased awareness ===
There is growing awareness and discussion about sexism in Bollywood, both within the industry and among audiences.<ref name="bbc" />

=== Calls for change ===
Activists, filmmakers, and some industry insiders are calling for more diverse representation and equitable practices in Bollywood.<ref name="bbc" />

== Academic studies ==

Several academic studies have examined sexism and gender representation in Bollywood:
* A study analyzing almost 700 movies made between 1950 and 2020 found that gender bias had become less prevalent over time, but there is still significant room for improvement in dialogue and character portrayal.<ref name="nature">{{cite journal |last1=Khudabukhsh |first1=Ashique |last2=Bukhsh |first2=Khuda |last3=Mitchell |first3=Tom |title=Bollywood study reveals history of gender bias reflecting real life |journal=Nature |date=2022-02-01 |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/d44151-022-00020-w |access-date=2024-07-19}}</ref>
* Research using natural language processing methods to study film dialogues noted that "several commercially successful Bollywood movies are riddled with sexist and misogynist dialogues".<ref name="Gender bias, social bias, and repre"/>
* A comprehensive analysis by researchers from [[Tata Institute of Social Sciences]] (TISS) in Mumbai examined major box-office hits and women-centric films, revealing stark gender imbalances in screen time and character representation.<ref name="bbc" />

==See also==
*[[Inequality in Hollywood]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* Shah, Priya V. (2020). "Representation of Women and Identity in Bollywood Films" (Master's thesis). [[University of Illinois Chicago|University of Illinois at Chicago]].
* Saikia, Ashima Ahmed. (2021). "The Portrayal Of Women In Bollywood Films". [[Webology]], 18(6), 2506–2507.

[[Category:Hindi cinema]]
[[Category:Sexism in India]]
[[Category:Gender studies]]
[[Category:Controversies about films in India]]
[[Category:20th-century controversies]]
[[Category:21st-century controversies]]
[[Category:Women in film]]
[[Category:Women in India]]

Sexism in Bollywood - Revision history

Isaac22019: adding info.