The Changing Connection between Women’s Empowerment and Socioeconomic Status in Indian Cinema from 1985-1995 to 2015-2024

Films play a significant role in shaping society’s perception of women. Although many studies have focused on gender roles in films, little research exists on women’s socioeconomic status and empowerment. This paper addresses this knowledge gap by analyzing the narrative of the relationship between women’s socioeconomic status and decision-making power in Indian cinema. It compares films from 1985 to 1995 with films from 2015 to 2024. The aim is to investigate whether there has been a change in the way Indian films represent women’s empowerment from different socio-economic backgrounds during these two different periods. To achieve this, the study was conducted in detail on six films (three from each period) focusing on the dialogue characters and the interaction of dialogue with society. The findings suggest a significant shift: earlier films often depicted women from lower socioeconomic classes as less empowered and those from higher classes as more empowered. In recent films, the situation has reversed; women from lower socio-economic backgrounds are seen as more powerful, while women from upper classes are sometimes seen as lacking independence. This research can be helpful for policymakers, filmmakers and professionals. It sheds light on the changing nature of the narrative of women’s empowerment in Indian cinema and highlights the need for a better understanding of how the media shape society. This research can inform future filmmaking, policy development and academic research and lead to greater representation of women in the media.