Time and again, the objectification of women, be it in mainstream cinema or any form of popular culture, and its impact has been questioned. The Delhi gang rape has raised a storm yet again. There is on one hand the 'art for art's sake' theory and films having no didactic role, on the other, there is a call for better portrayal of women.
Director Shyam Benegal, known for his women-oriented works, says, "Film-makers have a social responsibility. But so do others in all forms of media. As a film-maker, one has a great amount of power. Films are made for a large number of people, who, however, cannot communicate back to the director. It is important that films are made with much discretion."
Women characters in mainstream films are a far cry from the socio-economic world of ordinary women. Shrouded in the patriarchal tradition of film-making, they are waiting to evolve. The characters, when not playing second fiddle to the heros, are 'dancing' to raunchy tunes or crass lyrics. "These film-makers and actors should know what they are doing. I'd never make such films," says Benegal.
Well, it's about selling the product and 'item numbers' are believed to do the job. Actress Nandita Das points out how cinema has an impact on society and vice-versa. "We have always been seeing such images. Look at the way the character of a woman is portrayed — be it in an 'item number' or advertisement," she says.
"Basically, it is how the society perceives a woman. Although you can't tell a film-maker or an actor what to do, they should be socially responsible, more importantly mindful, since we are in the public arena," she adds.
Using women as objects of desire on celluloid, how much of a concern is that?
Creator of such powerful films like Agnisakshi and 'Elektra', Malayalam director Shyamaprasad Rajagopal, says, "A section of the society enjoys such depiction. These films have a commercial interest and are watched by a cross-section of people. There is a mixture of everything but not quality. It also shows how vulgarity and hypocrisy exist in the society. The fact that an 'item song' is watched by the entire family is indeed worrying. And it is the same film-makers who go on candlelight vigils," he says.
Whether it's the TV soaps, where women have a fixed image and ads, where they sell anything from cereals to washing machines, the story repeats. As director Girish Kasaravalli points out, commodifying extends to all forms of popular culture. "Cinema per se does not have any bearing on the crime in the society. But women have been objectified in films since the 60s and 70s, for instance in Raj Kapoor movies too."
"These films are entirely market driven. Our social life has changed drastically, people are migrating from villages to cities. All these contribute to the increasing crime," he says. "Art films only have one kind of an audience and fetch no money," he adds.
While that's the reality, do such celluloid images create an attitude in the society? Says Shyamaprasad, "There is a commercial attitude in all media. People are becoming aware of the danger but I'm not really optimistic about the society changing."
"The truth is there is a complete lack of aesthetic sensibility. A civilised society should also be aesthetically sensible," adds Shyamaprasad. Well, Amen to that!
Director Shyam Benegal, known for his women-oriented works, says, "Film-makers have a social responsibility. But so do others in all forms of media. As a film-maker, one has a great amount of power. Films are made for a large number of people, who, however, cannot communicate back to the director. It is important that films are made with much discretion."
Women characters in mainstream films are a far cry from the socio-economic world of ordinary women. Shrouded in the patriarchal tradition of film-making, they are waiting to evolve. The characters, when not playing second fiddle to the heros, are 'dancing' to raunchy tunes or crass lyrics. "These film-makers and actors should know what they are doing. I'd never make such films," says Benegal.
Well, it's about selling the product and 'item numbers' are believed to do the job. Actress Nandita Das points out how cinema has an impact on society and vice-versa. "We have always been seeing such images. Look at the way the character of a woman is portrayed — be it in an 'item number' or advertisement," she says.
"Basically, it is how the society perceives a woman. Although you can't tell a film-maker or an actor what to do, they should be socially responsible, more importantly mindful, since we are in the public arena," she adds.
Using women as objects of desire on celluloid, how much of a concern is that?
Creator of such powerful films like Agnisakshi and 'Elektra', Malayalam director Shyamaprasad Rajagopal, says, "A section of the society enjoys such depiction. These films have a commercial interest and are watched by a cross-section of people. There is a mixture of everything but not quality. It also shows how vulgarity and hypocrisy exist in the society. The fact that an 'item song' is watched by the entire family is indeed worrying. And it is the same film-makers who go on candlelight vigils," he says.
Whether it's the TV soaps, where women have a fixed image and ads, where they sell anything from cereals to washing machines, the story repeats. As director Girish Kasaravalli points out, commodifying extends to all forms of popular culture. "Cinema per se does not have any bearing on the crime in the society. But women have been objectified in films since the 60s and 70s, for instance in Raj Kapoor movies too."
"These films are entirely market driven. Our social life has changed drastically, people are migrating from villages to cities. All these contribute to the increasing crime," he says. "Art films only have one kind of an audience and fetch no money," he adds.
While that's the reality, do such celluloid images create an attitude in the society? Says Shyamaprasad, "There is a commercial attitude in all media. People are becoming aware of the danger but I'm not really optimistic about the society changing."
"The truth is there is a complete lack of aesthetic sensibility. A civilised society should also be aesthetically sensible," adds Shyamaprasad. Well, Amen to that!