Redefining Gender Roles in Indian Cinema: A Critical Analysis of the Movie Thappad

Abstract

The present paper analyses the norms and practices for formulating gender roles in contemporary Indian society by scrutinizing Bollywood movies' impact on its global audience. This study also attempts to explore how Bollywood reconceptualises the concept of new women and encourages gender equality by promoting movements such as #MeToo. It also examines how Bollywood deconstructs patriarchal norms by making their women lead more empowered. The study also traverses the conventional depiction of females in Indian Cinema and later it analyses the movie Thappad and how its main lead challenges the conventional portrayals and withstands the prevailing gender stereotypes in their pursuit of empowerment.