Why Are We Obsessed With Sexualising Female Teachers In Bollywood Films?

Bollywood has touched upon the teacher-student relationship with many films through all these years. However, the relationship has been portrayed at its worst in most of the Hindi films on female teachers as they have been sexualised time and again to attract the male gaze in order to increase viewership. From Sushmita Sen in Main Hoon Na to Chitrangadha Singh in Desi Boyz, why do Hindi films on female teachers sexualise them?

Bollywood films have discussed various relationship dynamics through all these years. From mother-daughter relationship in films like Shakuntala Devi and Secret Superstar to the paradigms of father-daughter relationships in films like Dangal and Piku, Bollywood has included all of them. While most of them have promising characterisation, others have been depicted at their worst. Teacher-student relationship is one such dynamic that the Bollywood has used to attract the eyeballs.

Most Bollywood films have sexualised female teachers instead of characterising their potential of inspiring their pupil. Such portrayals have been included for the mere purpose of satisfying the male gaze and collecting an additional viewership.

Sushmita Sen-starrer Main Hoon Na is one such example where Shah Rukh Khan is seen flattering over his chemistry teacher. The teacher, being fantasised dancing her in red saree, is nothing but a cringe-worthy characterisation of teacher-student relationship dynamics. And when do teachers give a makeover to their students so that they can woo the guy they like? *face palms*

Problematic characterisation of teachers tends to harm the institution of knowledge and questions the righteousness of ethical education?

Even in 2011-film Desi Boyz, Chitrangadha Singh, as an economic teacher, is characterised at the worst as she draws revenge from her student for not reciprocating her feelings years before they were classmates. During one scene, the teacher and the student involve in a game where with every right answer, she offers to remove one article of her clothes.

However, not every plot has sexualised female teachers in Bollywood films. While most have used female teachers as an object of male gaze, others have rejected this trope and tried to establish female teachers as guides who inspire their students towards the right path in life.

Bollywood films that got the teacher-student dynamics right

Rani Mukerji-starrer Hichki is one such example where the teacher turns her biggest weakness into her greatest strength to fight against the odds faced by the students of her class who hail from the low sections of the society. Not only does she manage a class of miscreants who are impossible to deal with, she also gives them a sense of motivation to do better and become the best version of themselves.

Shabana Azmi
Picture By: Women Pla.net

In another example, Chalk N Duster, which features actors including Juhi Chawla, Shabana Azmi and Divya Dutta, a passionate teacher stands up against the wrongful termination of a fellow teacher by the school principal. Teachers Jyoti and Vidya bond together on their love for teaching and find gratitude in imparting rightful values among their students.

2021-film Skater Girl is another example as to how a teacher and guide can be influential in breaking the societal barriers between one’s aspirations and their duties. A local teen in a village is infatuated with skate-boarding introduced by some foreign executives. Later, she fights all odds in the society which binds her to the duties towards her family and condemns her from pursuing her passion. Inspired by her mentor, she defies all those against her to pursue her dream of competing in the National Skateboarding Championship.

It’s high time that the Hindi film industry acknowledges the need of such inspiring and encouraging portrayal of female teachers in Bollywood films. The sexualised idea of female teachers to attract the male gaze for commercial purposes not only harms the idea of good quality and ethical education but also advocates sexism around female teachers. Not to mention, it is also demeaning to the institution of education.

Views expressed by author are their own.