Vidya Balan, Nandita Das, and Guneet Monga release TISS research report on gender representation in Hindi cinema

A new research report by the School of Media and Cultural Studies at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, reveals that on- and off-screen women and queer representation in box-office hits remains largely stereotypical

A new research report by the School of Media and Cultural Studies at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, reveals that on- and off-screen women and queer representation in box-office hits remains largely stereotypical. 

Actors Vidya Balan, Nandita Das, producer Guneet Monga Kapoor, Nitin Tej Ahuja, CEO of Producers Guild of India, released the report, “Lights, Camera, and Time for Action: Recasting a Gender Equality Compliant Bollywood,” at Estella, Juhu on the evening of June 28, in the presence of Prof Shalini Bharat, Director, TISS; Consul General Mike Hankey, U.S. Consulate General, Mumbai; and Prof Lakshmi Lingam, Research Study Director.  

The U.S. Consulate General, Mumbai, funded the project.

An engaging conversation moderated by film critic Sucharita Tyagi followed the report release. Representatives of several film industry bodies, film professionals, and media and communication students attended the event. 

Research for the report, supported by a research grant from the U.S. Consulate General, Mumbai, consisted of both quantitative and qualitative studies. The quantitative research studies analysed 25 2019 box-office hits to capture a full year of pre-pandemic theatrical releases, as well as 10 women-centric films released between 2012 and 2019 as a representative sample. Researchers analysed 15 crucial parameters, such as intersectional representation, occupation, degree of sexual stereotyping, consent and intimacy, and harassment. The studies also analysed women’s participation behind-the-scenes and off screen. 

In addition to the quantitative studies, TISS carried out three qualitative studies with the experiences and perspectives of women and queer screenwriters, directors, and young online media critics. 

Here are the main findings: