How Bollywood Reinforces Gender Stereotypes Through Songs And Dances

Bollywood has influenced Indian culture, without even realising it. As far as I can recall, every Bollywood movie has  a climax in which the male protagonist helps out a female character. Plots like these may gather audiences, but unknowingly send a wrong message.

Since ages, Bollywood has showcased women as weak, and dependent on men. Although, this stereotype, has started dissolving, recently, however there is a long way to go.

Yes, there are newer actors and newer ideas today, but since ages, Bollywood has showcased women as weak, and dependent on men. Although, this stereotype, has started dissolving, however there is a long way to go.

Not only scripts, but item songs, dances and the language used also has an adverse effect on the audience.

Not only scripts, but item songs, dances and the language used also has an adverse effect on the audience. Look at most of the  songs in the Hindi film industry, most of them start with the women rejecting the man, a dance and then suddenly the girl falls in love. Like really, how does that even make sense?

Here are the top 5 songs which smell of sexist entitlement:

#1 Fevicol se

Kareena Kapoor Khan in Fevicol Se song

Everyone has been a Kareena Kapoor Khan fan since, we have seen her as the outgoing Poo in Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham and the bubbly Geet in Jab We Met. But seeing her lip sync to such lyrics was definitely shocking. Imagine pasting pictures of someone on your chest with Fevicol!

#2 Tu Cheez badi hai mast mast

Item song - Tu Cheez badi hai mast mast.

This song objectifies women. It in its true sense calls women an object, that men must possess. This is the song that many cat-callers use today. Calling women a 'cheez' is demeaning and sends a negative image of the girl.

#3 Kyuki main tera boyfriend!

Song - Kyuki main tera boyfriend!

This song basically is about a guy trying to get a girl agree to be his girlfriend. Even if it means to stalk her and make her uncomfortable. What a message to provide to the youth!

#4 Kabhi Kabhie

Song - Kabhi Kabhie poster.

This song says that the girl is made, not to work, not to enjoy, not to learn and make discoveries, but only for the man. So the 70's idea of romance was for men to express their love by telling women that they have been made to satisfy men.

Brown Rang by Yo Yo Honey Singer, demeans women

#5 Brown Rang

It was really difficult for me to chose which Yo Yo Honey Singer rap to add into this list. Finally I picked this one because it tells women that he does not touch anything substandard. And he closes by saying that he is giving the brown girl the opportunity to be in his possession. Talk about racism!

Between 2015 and 2017, females were the central characters in 11.9% of Hindi movies released between 2015 and 2017. Back in the 70s, this figure was closer to 7%.

Need To Call Out

With the sexual harrassment becoming a main stay in India, songs like these prove to be provocateurs. These songs build a mind-set, similar to what item songs also do. Guys are likely to try songs and scenes from movies in their real life. This is not healthy, therefore we need to hold the songs and the whole film industry accountable.

Read also: When Will Bollywood’s Breezy Affair With Item Number End?

Kavya Shah is an intern with SheThePeople.Tv Views expressed are the writer's own.