The drastic change can be seen in Aditya Chopra’s films itself – from the doe-eyed Simran in DDLJ who was pushed around by the men in her life, to headstrong Shrya in Befikre, who wasn’t looking for a relationship but preferred casual sex! It seems like a Bollywood has figured out how to portray the modern woman spot on.
From Tamasha and Dear Zindagi to Piku, these new-age films depict women being a part of the fast-paced life with men, rather than playing ditsy characters. Gone are the days when doe-eyed, damsels in distress made for excellent female protagonists and were only present in the film to serve a romantic purpose to the men.
Today, women are not just present to play the love interest, but portrary strong characters with substance and a mind of their own. Even down South, the Sandalwood industry is not too far away in the ball game either and is slowly catching up. From Ragini IPS and Abhinetri, the two most recent women centric films have paved the way for women in the Kannada industry today.
“We are making sure we are portrayed in the right way. We are bold, honest, assertive, vulnerable, independent, naïve and yet powerful, all in one. This change is necessary,” opines Sandalwood actress Samyukta Hornad.
“I don’t need a man to pay my bills and there is no need for us to project or manipulate women characters based on false and non-existent ideas. To change these old perceptions, we are beginning to become more honest and truthful through our work, in order to portray who we actually are. Hence the change in films, music and everything else,” the actress says about the trend which seems like it’s here to stay!
