We all know Bollywood and originality are not directly proportional rather they are inversely proportional. The more Bollywood-ish a film, the less original it is. In tune with B-town’s pledge to endorse stereotypes and the character you will often find cruising through several Hindi films-the ‘BAD GIRL’. She will either quickly pop in to wreak havoc on the male lead’s life or be the lost damsel in distress engulfed by the western style only to be rescued by True Love or Indian Sanskaar.
Here are 10 characteristics you will find in every Bollywood ‘bad girl’ ever:
1 She drinks, and she drinks a lot– The first sign of a ‘bad girl’ in Bollywood films is that she is a wild child. She drinks, she parties, and the worst, she in unapologetic about it. Her drinking is portrayed as early onset of alcoholism. It is almost as if she drinks like a man.
2 She has a spine– She stands for herself. She goes after what she wants. She won’t take bullshit from anyone. She doesn’t bow down to elders who claim superiority and demand women abide by their every wish and command without any question.
3 She lacks a sanskaar– A girl who doesn’t talk with ‘jhuki nazar’ is not meek or docile and doesn’t replicate the template of Indian Bahu is, in short, is uncultured swine.
4 She is a go-getter– Career, money, men- she will go to any lengths to get what she wants. But what is bad here is that she will never ask a man for help, and that is not Bollywood.
5 Her family gives her too much independence– her family treats her like a rational human being and not a kid who needs guidance. Her family gives her financial independence, lets her live on her own, and doesn’t expect her to put her family’s needs above herself. Dare one ask why should family have any say over a woman’s choice in the first place?
6 She wears sultry clothes- A woman having autonomy in wearing what she wants is unacceptable. This includes heavy makeup, mini skirts, or all forms of western clothing that shows skin really. Unless of course, they are Indian clothes-then it is fine.
7 She has many, many lovers– How dare she not settle for a society-sanctioned rishta, and live and die for one man for her entire life? If a woman explores her interest in multiple men and doesn’t want to settle for one man, then she is whore.
8 She has an active sex life– The absolute worst, most unforgivable offense any Indian girl can ever commit is losing her virginity prior to Shaadi. Even murder is better than this.
9 She treats men the same way men treat women– She desires, she lusts and she makes the first move. Therefore, she is cunning and manipulative and somehow the man is an idiot who neatly falls into her trap.
10 She acts like a man– Have you noticed what all the above points have in common. Here women act like men.
The normal Bollywood film says that there is only one redemption for these women-stop being themselves and submitting to the ideals of Indian society. And, also find a man while you are it.
But in the last few years, this trend is slowly changing, as we have seen few films where women are standing by themselves and not living by the general norms of Bollywood and society. Here are a few examples- Deepika Padukone in Cocktail and Piku, Vidya Balan in The Dirty Picture, Taapsee Pannu in Badla and Pink, Kangana Ranaut in Tanu Weds Manu series, Priyanka Chopra in Fashion and Aitraaz, and many more.
Waiting for your view on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
18th June 2022.