Nerdy Naina Goes Glam: Has Yeh Jawaani hai Deewani Stood The Test Of Time?

I was in sixth grade when the movie Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani was released and I vividly recall urging my parents to take me to the theatre to watch it on the first day, the first show itself. Charmed by Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor’s flirtatious enamour, their tale of amour was one of my prime favourites as I grew up in my early teens.

Like many other girls who idealised Naina’s character of being the typical introverted student who would immerse herself in the world of books and escape behind the guise of academic validation and aloofness, I envisioned myself going on the Manali Trip and falling in love with a flirtatious and charismatic guy who would give me enough validation and acceptance to fall in love with myself. Not to mention Naina’s total glow up into a woman admired and exalted by many was a dream for all of us nerdy girls who wished to be heard, felt and most importantly be admired and appraised. 

Truth be told, as I grew up and realised the reality of life and what truly the essence of love and confidence beholds, the fairytale of Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani felt less magical and more flawed. Through its subtle nuances and stereotypical plot lines that centred around the life and existence of the main male protagonist and sidelined the lives of female characters that played a pivotal role, the breezy allure of the movie lost its lustre in my perception. In this article, I dive deeper into the subtlety of sexism, patriarchy and objectification that the movie guise under its wing and the true meaning of love and self-esteem it should rather propagate.

The redundant trope of Stereotyping 

Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013) subtly perpetuates problematic gender roles while leaving viewers speechless. In addition to Aditya Roy Kapoor (Avi) and Kalki Koechlin (Aditi), the film's main actors are Ranbir Kapoor (Kabir aka Bunny) and Deepika Padukone (Naina). Naina is a shy, introverted medical student who wears a "chashma" and always has a book with her, even when she goes grocery shopping. The good woman and the bad woman are presented as opposites from the outset. The characters of Aditi and Naina are different from one another; Aditi is loud, gregarious, and entertaining, whereas Naina is presented as simple, uninteresting, and industrious. 

Aditi secretly harbours feelings for Avi, who naturally shows no interest in her since she isn't "feminine." Throughout the movie, women are frequently objectified for comedic effect. In addition, Lara, played by Evelyn Sharma, is presented as a pretty but dim girl with a "perfect" figure that everyone fancies. She makes sporadic appearances throughout the film, has a shrill voice, and an odd accent, and is viewed more as an object than a person.

Naina is occasionally contrasted with Lara, which repeatedly emphasises the contrast. In a brief scene from their trip to Manali, Bunny encounters a random girl and sneers at her as she leaves. There are plenty of sexist remarks that are meant to be funny. As Bunny and Avi prepare to travel to Manali, they decide that "not a single mountain girl shall be spared." Bunny's persona essentially exclaims the adage "men will be men." He flirts with every woman he meets because he is a "charming womaniser." He pretends to be a man-child who, in the name of his goals and self-discovery, harms everyone around him. 

The plot ultimately revolves around his career because of how much his ambition and desire to travel are exalted. While departing for their trip to Manali, he stated that his career was his top priority. Conversely, we don't learn much about Naina's medical career, even though she is very sincere and diligent. She only makes a passing reference to her "clinic" in the second half of the film. Her appearance, personality, and bond with Bunny are all that matter about her. Naina is portrayed as a damsel in distress in the first half of the film, feeling excluded from the fun-loving crowd. To feel good about herself, she needs Bunny's (the cool guy) approval, and that's where the "romance" starts. When they climb the Bhuta mountain in one episode, Naina makes a single, straightforward wish: "Bunny." Thus, it is established that the hero is "the ultimate prize" that the girl can desire. 

In some way, she transforms from an awkwardly shy person to an extroverted individual who drinks bhaang and performs on stage by replacing her "chashma" with contact lenses.  Bunny makes fun of his casual relationships and criticises marriage throughout Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, but he becomes extremely jealous and insecure when Naina meets Vikram (Rana Daggubati), suggesting that what is appropriate for a man is not appropriate for a woman.

Women are expected to be reserved, but men are free to play around and "have fun." Women can only be subservient, but men can afford to have ambitious aspirations.

Until he realises he is in love with Naina and does not want to lose her, Bunny is determined to pursue his goals till the very end. When he visits her home on New Year's Eve, she is undoubtedly absent while everyone else is having a good time. The hero responds, "I still want the same things but now I want them with you," when she expresses fear that he will flee when he offers to marry her.

As the film concludes with their embrace, the audience lets out a heartfelt "aww." The question regarding Naina's career and the clinic she briefly mentioned is possibly the one that remained unasked and unanswered. Ultimately, the only "happy ending" that both of the main female characters, Naina and Aditi, can afford is marriage. Bunny is regarded as Naina's ultimate reward. He can pursue his ambition and do as he pleases. The endearing hero is what Naina has been waiting for.

Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani is a prime example of a movie that seems innocent and romantic but has not stood the test of time. However, when we look closely, we find layers of problematic gender stereotypes and sexism. Therefore, we must pay attention to the subtle and harmful ways that the entertainment content we consume contributes to gender stereotypes. 

While I still indulge in an occasional rewatch of the movie once in a while, I do wish that Naina’s character centred around her own life and how amazingly she shines in the authenticity of being a nerd girl who is ambitious and passionate about her existence rather than being reduced to attractiveness and worthy of love only after she transforms into the societal standards of attractiveness. I yearn for all the girls who grew up putting themselves in the shoes of Naina to embrace their unique individuality and know that whoever they are in their authentic light is what deems to be the most beautiful. 

Views expressed by the author are their own.