A Prose On Feminism In Bollywood

How far has feminism in Bollywood truly travelled? A look back.

Dear Bollywood,

Clearly it is our goal to be like Hollywood.

So, I made a piece about what we have to do,

If that ‘goal’ is to be somewhere in our view.

There will be names taken, blood shed,

And yes, there might be bad blood due to what is said.

But that’s alright, here goes.

Let’s take a journey through Bollywood’s lows.

Here’s some advice - stop treating women in films like helpless guppies.

And no, Ms. Mira Rajput, women who work do not treat their children like puppies. David Dhawan, all older women aren’t khatada gaadis.

Thank you, Vidya, for saying ‘It’s okay to wear a saree!’

To Katrina and to Jacqueline who love an item song,

Let’s put those dance moves in the medieval times - where they belong.

Your simpering skirts and breasts on display,

Men sexualising and gyrating and ‘feminist stars’ saying, “Hey, that’s okay.”

Whether in Agneepath or even Judwaa 2,

These regressive dance moves leave me feeling blue.

These songs in my mind dissipate any progression,

Instead, they bring about a feeling of agitation.

Alia being kidnapped in Badrinath Ki Dulhania,

Maybe don’t go marry your kidnapper - there’s an idea! To all producers promoting this backward thinking,

The ship of feminism you seem to be guiding is now sinking.

To the misogynistic Censor Board by which ‘Kya Kool Hain Hum 3’ was approved —

To us, in our mind a lot of things about its working it proved.

Mr. Pahlaj Nihalani, drawing a ‘sex line’ with his yardstick,

Sir, let’s not even talk about Lipstick! For those you who don’t know, Lipstick Under My Burkha was a movie,

That Mr. Nihalani practically refused to see. Averting from our eyes a masterpiece,

And taking away from Alankrita Srivastava (Lipstick’s director) the keys.

Dum Laga Ke Haisha muted ‘lesbian’ from its script,

Jab Harry Met Sejal, the word ‘intercourse’ conveniently skipped.

Kangana Ranaut was ousted from Bollywood, called a whore,

For grappling with the working of the industry AT ITS CORE.

They call any woman with a different view ‘a kamini, kutti, a saali’.

Oh, what’re you looking at, Mr. Sanjay Leela Bhansali?

Jauhar is not an act of glorification or pride,

This film for many should’ve been a feminist guide.

Men and women opposing a film with a women at its title,

The same ones for whom objectifying women on porn sites is vital.

The Censor Board stripped Padmavati of its eye,

And what about the supposedly ‘evil’ Muslim guy? Not only was Padmaavat misogynistic but xenophobic too.

Mr. Bhansali, nothing about your film was remotely true.

Truth be told, Bollywood is looking at some tough times ahead.

But, with all that being done and said, Find the key, guide yourself.

Each girl and boy for themselves.

Don’t promote films that are against the liberal mindset,

To our feminist movement, it promotes a threat.

Yes.

This is the end.

Thank you.