Double-Edged Sword: Unearthing Toxicity in Bollywood’s Empowered Female Characters

The representation of women in contemporary Bollywood films has offered valuable insights into the discourse surrounding the feminine sphere. Within the patriarchal framework, critiques of femininity have emerged, advocating for positive depictions of ‘strong females.’ This study delves into movies featuring empowered female characters, mainly focusing on the analysis of Khiladiyon ka Khiladi (1996), Fukrey (2013), Gulaab Gang (2014), and Begum Jaan (2017). Notably, this paper introduces the idea of toxic femininity in Bollywood cinema, contending that female characters exhibit similar ‘toxic’ features. This notion challenges the discourse critiquing hypermasculine traits and machismo, often addressed by feminist scholars, filmmakers, and female protagonists. The investigation centers on understanding the visual encoding of glorified masculine characteristics evident in onscreen female characters. Additionally, the study explores how body language and choice of profession serve as sites for 'performed' protest by female characters. While such protests are generally viewed and applauded by both genders, the paper posits an alternative viewpoint, suggesting that they are a double-edged sword, undermining positive communication between the sexes.