Portrayal of Women in Mainstream Vs. Ar Cinema

This document discusses the portrayal of women in mainstream and art cinema in India. It provides a brief history of Bollywood and analyzes how women have been depicted from the 1930s to present. In mainstream films, women's roles have largely been reduced to decorative objects for male pleasure or upholders of tradition. In contrast, parallel or art cinema presents more realistic and complex portrayals of women, addressing topics like sexuality, violence and social issues in a way that challenges stereotypes. The document debates whether cinema should prioritize entertainment or social change through its influence on society.Read less