It's A Girl

- Suguna Sundaram

Man cannot make up his mind or accept the fact that the fairer sex is in no way lesser than him, at home, and at work. Which is why the battle. Moreover, psychologically, the Indian woman is in a grey area. On the one hand, she is worshipped as Goddess and mother, and on the other, reviled as girlfriend and mistress. In a professional scenario, a woman has to work twice as hard with half the advantages given to her, just to prove her worth. And is still not lauded for it, but becomes the brunt of jealousy and chauvinism. In this scenario is the Bollywood film industry where heroes and heroines play their professional game. A film is always sold on the strength of the hero’s saleability. Rarely do women assume that responsibility. Not that it is impossible. It is just that the role or position of the woman on top (pun intended) is by-and-large not acceptable. Yes, we have had films in the past that have been heroine-centric. And fared very well, but they have been the odd one or two in a decade. Like the original mother of all female– centric films - Mother India way back in 1957. Followed by Aandhi, Bhumika, Arth, Mirch Masala, Damini, Chandni Bar, No One Killed Jessica, Dirty Picture, Kahaani….like we said, one or two a decade. And these were stories of women who suffered abuse and battled to emerge winners. Now we make films where women are accorded superior status in any case. Just like that. A huge leap in terms of attitudes and acceptamce. As it should rightly be.