New Delhi witnessed a powerful discourse on International Women’s Day during the two-day National Women’s Thinkers Conference at Vigyan Bhawan. On the second day, themed ‘Nature and Culture,’ a panel of seven distinguished speakers delved into the profound influence of cinema and media on women’s portrayal.
The discussion zeroed in on how films like Dangal, Animal, Kabir Singh, and Mirzapur have shaped public perceptions, often negatively. Journalist Kiran Chopra highlighted the dual-edged sword of cinema. ‘Dangal inspired parents to encourage their daughters in wrestling,’ she noted. ‘But other movies glamorize alcohol with scenes of women dancing with glasses on their heads, sparking dangerous social media trends that seep into households.’
Chopra emphasized the objectification rampant in media. ‘Women are depicted as objects, which is detrimental. We are emotionally vulnerable and hesitant to take bold steps, but it’s time for change. Women possess immense inner strength; they just need to recognize it.’
Sangeet Natak Akademi Chairperson Sandhya Purecha called for a return to ancient wisdom. ‘Our Vedas and Puranas revere women as embodiments of power. Domestic violence, condemned in these texts, is alarmingly rising today. We must draw lessons from our heritage to empower women anew.’
The conference underscored the urgent need for responsible storytelling in cinema and media to foster positive role models and combat regressive stereotypes, urging society to celebrate women’s true potential.