How often do we see close-ups of male lips in films? The answer, according to research, is rarely. Conversely, close-ups of women’s bodies are commonplace, a double standard that’s prompting a critical conversation within the film industry.
A Shift in Focus: Women Directors and the Language of Cinema
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Filmmakers are increasingly challenging traditional cinematic tropes and advocating for more equitable representation on screen.
- Women filmmakers are pushing back against the industry’s tendency to portray women solely as objects of desire.
- A recurring theme in the discussion was the imbalance in how male and female characters are depicted, particularly regarding age and physical strength.
- The importance of showcasing supportive male characters and alternative narratives was highlighted as a way to challenge existing stereotypes.
- The achievements of pioneering female producers, like Parvathamma Rajkumar, were celebrated as sources of inspiration.
Filmmakers Jacqueline Roussety and Nidhi Saxena addressed these issues Tuesday at the Bengaluru International Film Festival during a session titled “How Women Directors are Changing the Language of Cinema.” The discussion, moderated by actor-filmmaker Sindhu Sreenivasa Murthy, underscored the vital role women play in breaking down barriers within the film industry.
Genius and Muse
Roussety, a German actor and theatre director, critiqued the industry’s habit of framing male filmmakers as “geniuses” while relegating female artists to the role of “muses.” Her doctoral thesis explored the historical portrayal of this dynamic.
Saxena questioned why women are so often excluded from being the central voice of a story, instead being reduced to objects of desire. “In Govind Nihalani’s Aakrosh, a rape scene doesn’t show skin. The focus isn’t on the woman’s body. It shows the place where the hideous act is taking place, yet makes you feel uncomfortable. That’s real filmmaking, which doesn’t tempt people with the gaze of the camera,” she said.
Saxena’s film, Secrets of a Mountain Serpent, is set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival in 2025. The film, set in a 1990s Himalayan town, delves into a woman’s hidden desires, following a school teacher whose husband is stationed at the border as she finds herself drawn to a mysterious newcomer.
Men Who Support
Murthy, who directed the Kannada period film Aachar & Co, explored the thought processes behind the male characters in her movie. “I showed men who support women. I wanted to say the world has soft and tender men. Sometimes, instead of just focusing on the problem, we must show an alternate reality,” she explained. Aachar & Co, set in 1960s Bengaluru, portrays a traditional family navigating the challenges of a changing society.
Roussety also pointed out the disparity in how male and female characters are portrayed in terms of physical strength and age. “You have Tom Cruise doing unbelievable stunts in the Mission Impossible series, and that’s fine. However, he is paired opposite a female actor who is half his age. It’s a disturbing trend. Why do we see young women next to men who are 40 and 50? Where are the stories of women who have crossed 35?”
Saxena emphasized that female directors should be considered capable of creating mainstream, engaging films, rather than being pigeonholed as “documentary filmmakers.” “That’s why the success of Zoya Akhtar and Kiran Rao is huge,” she said.
An Ace Producer
The discussion also celebrated the accomplishments of Parvathamma Rajkumar, a prolific producer who bankrolled over 50 Kannada blockbusters. “At first, I knew her as Dr. Rajkumar’s wife. But after learning about her career, I feel inspired. We need more such victory stories in Kannada cinema,” remarked an audience member.
Published – February 03, 2026 11:16 pm IST
