4 Times Bollywood Depicted Dalit Feminism Realistically

Discrimination against Dalits is a pervasive issue in our society. It has been practised for ages and remains unchanged despite the developments in the country. Dominated by upper-caste people, the society not only pushes the Dalits to the periphery but also denigrates them. From untouchability and unreasonable restrictions to mob violence and murder- society snatches freedom and safety from the Dalit community. However, the worst brunt of this system is borne by Dalit women. They face double discrimination because of their caste and gender.

The feminist ideas that help many women in our society to thrive are not enough to cover the double discrimination of women. Although feminism entails addressing every kind of inequality, one-fit-for-all feminism will not be enough to address the nuances of Dalit women's discrimination. 

The idea of Intersectional Feminism

Hence came the term 'Intersectional Feminism'. It was coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, an American law professor to address the various factors that exacerbate gender inequality. Similarly, combined with Dalit discrimination, the inequality Dalit women face needs an intervention by Intersectional Feminism.

To know the ground realities of Intersectional Feminism, or more specifically, Dalit Feminism, we have to do extensive research. However, to see how people are accepting the idea, we can resort to the analysis of the anti-cast feminist depictions of Bollywood. 

Here is a list

Dahaad

A recent web series featuring Sonakshi Sinha and Vijay Verma is the epitome of how cinema and society must deal with anti-caste feminism. Usually, movies revolving around caste have an upper-caste saviour which again builds the narrative of Dalits living in the favour of upper-caste people. But Dahaad not only has Dalit women as the sufferers but also a Dalit woman as the saviour. 

Sonakshi Sinha plays the role of a Dalit woman police officer who unravels the mysterious death of marriageable women of lower caste. The deaths are not considered or reported because of the police system's apathy towards lower caste people. But Anjali Bhatti, a Dalit woman herself, brings the incidents out of the grave and solves the mystery.  

Bandit Queen

Released many years ago, Bandit Queen is based on the life of Phoolan Devi, a Dalit woman dacoit turned politician. Although Devi is not with us today, her legacy stays through the portrayal of her identity in Bandit Queen. 

The movie showcases how Dalit women are exploited not just because of their gender but also because of their caste. Phoolan, the protagonist, faces a lot of torture because of her caste and sexuality. She is married off at the age of 11 by her poor Mallah father in exchange for a few wealth. But the marriage turns into torture as Phoolan is subjected to subjected to physical and sexual violence. Even though she tries to run away, she always becomes prey to Upper-caste men’s casteist and patriarchal ideas. 

However, she rises and fights against her abusers. The most powerful yet a bit controversial scene is when Phoolan shoots twenty men in a village. That's when Phoolan became a dacoit with a team working as the Robinhood of India. 

Parched 

Another movie that deals with caste and patriarchy is Parched. In this movie, three female protagonists become the medium of portraying how caste and patriarchy oppress women. Visibly belonging to a lower caste, Lajjo and Rani face different kinds of subjugation. While Lajjo faces domestic violence for not producing a child, Rani is a widow facing discrimination. The third woman, Bijli, is a prostitute who is empowered on the surface but faces abuse regularly. 

The movie is exceptional because it talks about the sexual rights of a woman, despite her gender and caste. The sexuality of a woman is considered taboo, irrespective of her caste. But women in this movie explore their sexuality breaking all the norms. 

Rani says, “Pyar koi chidiya nhi, ek hi zindagi mili se, aur e zindagi me hi milegi.”

Geeli Pucchi 

Another phenomenal web series based on the struggles of a Dalit woman is Geeli Pucchi. This movie is special because it addresses the combination of lesbianism, gender and caste. 

Bharti is a lower-caste and androgynous woman who works in a factory. Priya, on the other hand, is a Brahmin, feminine and married woman. However, there is more than a caste difference between these two women.

Bharti is oppressed by caste politics and doesn’t get the job she deserves. But she doesn’t forsake her freedom to explore and accept her sexuality.

When Bharti asks a senior colleague why can’t she get a proper job, the colleague says, “Because we are Dalits. Because your surname does not have Mishra or Sharma in it. We can be offered a desk to have our meals on, but they will never offer you a desk job.”

On the other hand, Priya is surrounded by patriarchy. She is married in a heterosexual relationship and never tried to accept her sexuality. She gets the job Bharti deserved just based on her caste. Despite the contrast, the two women come together based on their common sexuality.

An important point to note is that Bharti Mandal introduces herself as Bharti Banerjee to Priya Sharma. However, when everything is revealed, the plot of their budding romance changes. 

Have you watched these movies yet?

Views expressed are the author's own.