Cinematic Stereotypes: Exploring Student Perspectives on Gender Inequality in Bollywood Films

The Indian film industry is one of the most robust and vibrant sectors of the country’s economy. It adds to the creation of jobs and entertainment, strengthening India’s soft power internationally. The sociocultural fabric of India has been reflected and influenced by women in Hindi film. The way that gender discrimination is depicted in the media has generated a great deal of debate and controversy throughout the years. Bollywood, one of the largest film industries in the world, has a significant impact on social norms and views. Bollywood films’ depiction of gender norms and stereotypes have the power to influence viewers’ attitudes, beliefs, and actions especially young people. This study focuses on assessing, beliefs and actions especially young people. This study focuses on assessing the perceptions and attitudes of college/university students in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan regarding the portrayal of gender discrimination in Bollywood films. The study’s findings demonstrated that individuals are more willing to admit bias when they are aware of gender stereotyping practices. It indicates that, whether intentionally or unintentionally, Bollywood is igniting significant discussions about gender standards. However, these discussions also highlight a sad reality: film frequently lags behind society’s evolution. Even movies that aim to represent strong women can occasionally fall into the trap of superficial empowerment that offers independence without narrative control and strength without depth.