Why Bollywood's Sexist Songs Still Exist

Bollywood, the world's largest film industry, has a problem. It's not just about the dancing or the music. It's about the way women are often portrayed in these songs. These are called "item songs. " They are short dance sequences that often objectify women, treating them as objects of desire rather than fully realized characters. But why do these songs still exist? And why do audiences still enjoy them? To understand this, we need to look at the history of Bollywood. Item songs have been around for a long time. They started as a way to add a bit of spice to the movies. However, over time, they've become a way to reinforce traditional gender roles. Bollywood often uses rewards and punishments to keep women in stereotypical roles. So, if a woman is obedient and submissive, she is rewarded with a happy ending. But if she steps out of line, she might face consequences. This is a clear example of how Bollywood reinforces gender norms. The Male Gaze theory is another important concept. This theory suggests that women are often portrayed in a way that caters to the male audience. So, the way women are shown in these songs is often about pleasing the male audience, rather than showing women as they truly are. This is a problem because it reinforces the idea that women are objects to be looked at, rather than people with their own thoughts and feelings.But why do audiences still enjoy these songs? One reason is Cognitive Dissonance. This is a psychological phenomenon where people hold two contradictory beliefs at the same time. So, audiences might know that these songs are harmful, but they still enjoy them because they like the music or the dancing. This is a problem because it means that even if people know that these songs are harmful, they might still continue to enjoy them. This makes it harder to change the way women are portrayed in Bollywood. The research involved 310 working professionals and a review of 62 articles from various databases. The goal was to statistically analyze the socio-cultural factors that contribute to the production of sexist songs, their societal impact, and the root causes of their depiction. This research shows that there are many factors at play. It's not just about the music or the dancing, but also about the way society views women. It is important to think critically about these issues. We need to ask ourselves why these songs still exist and what we can do to change the way women are portrayed in Bollywood. We need to challenge the stereotypes and the gender norms that are reinforced by these songs. We need to recognize that women are more than just objects of desire. They are people with their own thoughts, feelings, and experiences. So, the next time you watch a Bollywood movie, think about the music and the dancing. But also think about the way women are portrayed in these songs. And ask yourself, is this really the message we want to send?