Six Indian Films That Challenged Societal Conventions In 2024

The year 2024 witnessed a plethora of Indian films that raised powerful questions about societal norms. From the importance of reevaluating relationships to the roles women play in each other's lives. The films highlight the diverse journeys women undertook in asserting their identities, from breaking free of societal constraints to embracing their voices. Through powerful narratives, these films challenge traditional gender roles and offer a vision of empowerment to the audience. Here's what films in 2024 explored:

All We Imagine As Light

Payal Kapadia's All We Imagine As Light portrays the lives of Prabha and Anu, Malyali nurses based in Mumbai. The film raises various questions subtly focusing on what roles women play in each other's lives. While Prabha is straitlaced and yearns for her husband who migrated to Germany soon after their marriage, Anu is a lively and outgoing person and is having a secret affair with a Muslim man named Shiaz.

All We Imagine As Light explores the lives of humanely relatable female characters, whose desires are often tempered by hesitation. 

Srikanth 

This film is based on the life of entrepreneur Srikanth Bolla. This film defines the meaning of living a life beyond disability. Srikanth's struggles throughout his life depict his willpower to achieve beyond the horizons of social expectations from a visually challenged individual. While the film showcased his struggles, it never portrayed Srikanth as helpless. Rather it showed how he took two steps back and then marched forward with full vigor in times of struggle.

Laapataa Ladies

Kiran Rao's Laapataa Ladies brings us back to the roots. Thinking about the simplistic life in a village, and how often the desires of female members are suppressed. Laapataa Ladies is also India’s official entry for the 97th Academy Awards 2025. The film subtly highlights the importance of women's empowerment and how dreams catalyze strong individuality. Laapataa Ladies felt like a warm homecoming film, which takes us on a ride to explore a story that felt personal. 

Do Patti

Kanika Dhillon's Do Patti showcased the journey of a helpless woman Saumya, who chose to fight for herself and stand up for her rights. Many Indian women tolerate domestic abuse from their husbands to maintain their marriage. How many women end up registering for an FIR against abuse? Saumya's journey felt like an awakening for those women who feel bound in the shackles of an abusive marriage. Do Patti was an eye-opener for the society that idealises a meek yet dutiful daughter-in-law over the one who stands up for their rights. 

Amar Singh Chamkila

Imtiaz Ali's Chamkila reflected on the late singer Amar Singh Chamkila's life. Imtiaz Ali's film explored the complexities of a patriarchial society on vulgarism. The depiction of Chamkila's songs that society would neither ignore nor swallow was brought back in 2024, reflecting on the other aspects of society. Chamkila's story brings out the message that at times, it is not possible to cater to everyone's choices. All we should do is focus on our work, whilst other things unfold. 

Do Aur Do Pyaar

What Do Aur Do Pyaar as a film explores is complexities of human relationships. Often extra-marital affairs feel sinful, but is neglecting love ideal? The main couple, who are dating different people outside their marriage, gave a glimpse of complexities beyond their open relationship. The emotional disconnect and societal norms that often create thorns in relationships were highlighted. Do Aur Do Pyaar gives a powerful message on the importance of relationships, and how marriage can work only when both partners impart equal efforts in the relationship.