Women in Indian films need to get past the male gaze: Rahul Mittra


Women characters have been hitherto presented through male perspective, resulting in stereotypes Mitra said at Lit Fest


By Rajesh Ahuja

In a film industry where female characters have been largely portrayed from a male perspective,  Rahul Mittra has stood out with films like Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster and Revolver Rani which have been known for their strong female characters.

Mittra feels that for long the women characters in Hindi films have been portrayed from a male perspective,  being reduced to stereotypes which are often far removed from the reality.

Addressing the Spring Fest 2023 in Delhi,  the first edition of the literary endeavour by authors Harshali Singh and Mona Verma, Rahul Mittra said that it is high time that women characters in Indian cinema get past the 'male gaze'.


Filmmaker Rahul Mittra says that women in Indian films need to get past the male gaze 






Speaking at the finale of the literary conclave, the well-known Filmmaker-actor and branding specialist Rahul Mittra drew the audiences’ attention to the changing women characters in films from that of a mother, maiden, mistress to strong layered ones currently and stressed on the need to end underrepresentation of women both on and off screen.

He said that due to this disparity, female characters in Indian cinema have been presented through the eyes of a largely male perspective, resulting in stereotypes and gender biases.

“Women is cinema have to get past this male gaze,”  Rahul Mittra said to a thunderous applause.

Rahul Mittra spoke on women in films, citing interesting anecdotes and facts from Indian cinema.  
                         
Rahul Mittra's Saheb Biwi aur Gangster triology changed the context of Indian cinema from NRI centric films to Indian heartland.

The film's stood out for its strong portrayal of women characters.

His other film Kangana Ranaut starrer Revolver Rani also saw the main female character as just, naughty, unabashedly sexual and complex, traits which were hitherto the domain of men .

Powered by Kunzum, an emerging bookstore giant in Delhi , the Spring Fest 2023 was attended by eminent writers, poets, social change makers, journalists and filmmakers. 

The founders of House of Harmony , Dr. Harshali Singh and Mona Verma lent a platform to many  new writers and performers who created a cheery ambience with their performances.

Besides Rahul  Mittra, the event was attended by Major Gen. G.D. Bakshi SM, VSM Retd. , Vinita Nangia-Executive Editor, Columnist-Times Of India, Author, Director-Times Literature Festivals and Write India, Social activists Mahamandaleshwar Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi and Anurag Chauhan founder Humans for Humanity, Eminent lawyer and founder of KLF, Sumant Batra, Shishir Sinha- Associate Editor with the Hindu Business Line, Sandeep Unnithan -editor at News9 plus and Dr. Alka Pande-art curator and historian , Dipankar Mukherjee-founder and publisher at Readomania, Ajay Jain Founder Kunzum and his team led by Subir Dey and Shantanu Roy-editor-in-chief at Om Books, amongst an array of other well known writers and performers.

The event featured panel discussions on broad spectrum issues ranging from relevance of AI, impacts of war, writings by medical professionals, various shades of women , sensuality in history and mythology, gender fluidity and role of women in Indian cinema.

Speaking at the  event, Mona and Harshali said, “We are overwhelmed by the stupendous response to our maiden edition and now look forward to expanding the portfolio.’


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