Bollywood's Testosterone Trap: Are Women Being Sidelined?

Is Bollywood stumbling into a testosterone trap? "No country for Jawans or not so Jawan women."

Bollywood has always faced criticism for how it depicts women, with many of its movies objectifying them or treating them as mere love interests or damsels in need. A growing movement to support more gender-inclusive storytelling in Hindi cinema has emerged in recent years, but a recent development raises concerns that Bollywood may be falling into a new trap: the testosterone trap.

The term "testosterone trap" refers to the propensity of movies to emphasize male characters and their connections with one another while underplaying or ignoring female characters. This is seen in a number of current Bollywood movies, including "War," "Sooryavanshi," and "Pathaan," all of which have sizable casts of male characters and cast female characters in supporting parts.

Films that mostly feature male protagonists are perfectly acceptable, but the testosterone trap can become an issue when it results in a lack of diversity and representation on screen. It could also convey the idea that women are not important or able to stand up for themselves.

This is especially troubling in Bollywood, where stereotypes and underrepresentation of female characters have long been problems. Bollywood filmmakers efficiently reinforce the notion that men are more significant and crucial to the plot by concentrating on male characters and their relationships with one another.

Bollywood filmmakers can stay away from the testosterone trap in a number of ways. One strategy is to create female characters who are more nuanced and multifaceted. An further strategy is to offer female characters more time on screen and more significant roles to play. Last but not least, Bollywood directors should work to cast more women in leading and supporting roles.

These actions will enable Bollywood to produce movies that are more inclusive and realistic.