Six Sexist Bollywood Dialogues Against Men

Sexism advocates discrimination and stereotypes across genders. When we talk about sexism, it is not just limited to women but also holds true for men and people from other genders too. While Bollywood has glorified sexism in the name of entertainment by sexualising and objectifying females, it has also advocated sexism against men. We have picked six sexist Bollywood dialogues against men.

1. “Mard Ko Dard Nahin Hota”: Mard, 1985

The pain receptors in a “mard’s” body must be disabled by default so that they don’t feel pain, I guess. Bollywood really needs to stop endorsing toxic masculinity by glorifying male toughness. It’s okay to be vulnerable and sensitive and feel emotions like a normal human being.

2. “Mard Ban Mard”: Dil Chahta Hai, 2002

Bollywood should rule out a “Be A Man 101” to teach men the art of having a muscular body, dominating over females and the intolerance of rejection because that is how a man should be according to Bollywood movies.

3. “Bande bike kyun chalate hai, macho dikhne ke liye … jean kyun pehente hai, macho dikhne ke liye. Bike ho ya ghar, handle hamesha apne haath mein.”: Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, 2008

What is this obsession with machoness? It’s the 21^st century and we respect men who are humble, supportive and kind. We don’t want bodyguards but partners in life who see us as equals and respect that.

4. “Meri mardangi ke bare mein aap gaon ki kisi bhi ladki se pooch sakte ho … report achchi milegi”: Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela, 2013

Ever heard about sexualising men? Here’s how it’s done. According to Bollywood, a man’s masculinity is equally proportional to the number of women he can satisfy sexually. Sexism at its peak.

5. “Lucknow da kurta, Pathani salwar … tab lage mard, varna lage bekaar”: Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham…, 2001

Gender stereotyping men for the choice of their clothes is something which is normalised in our society. A man dressed in shirt and pants is a gentleman but the same man wearing even a pink-coloured clothing is effeminate. Bollywood keeps portraying this stereotype at its worst by characterising men as unmanly or even transgender (another typical characterisation in Bollywood at its worst) in feminine outfits.

6. The obsession with Churiyan

Bollywood has stereotyped even simple objects like bangles with dialogues like “Churiyan Pehni Hai Kya?” and has assisted toxic masculinity by making an ornament effeminate and advocating women as the weaker sex.

Views expressed by author are their own. Image is used for representational purposes.