Glorification of Hegemonic Masculinity and Misogyny in “Animal” Movie

This study aims to analyze how hegemonic masculinity is represented and endorsed on the Bollywood screen with emphasis on the latest film compulsively titled “Animal”. Hegemonic masculinity, as the ideal type of masculinity that is maintained, empowers the domination of others and renders power over women and other subordinated masculinities. In this context, the study uses qualitative content analysis to analyze narrative elements, characters and dialogs in “Animal” and to consider what images of hegemonic masculinity are constructively raised. In this research, the lessons learned from key scenes and interactions will be analyzed to determine how the film promotes gender role stereotypes and unequal power relations in the home domain. By analyzing both films, the paper concludes that “Animal” celebrates the virtues of rage, domination and repression, stripping women off their personality and turning them into mere submissive tools. These perceptions assist in perpetuating negative gender roles and shape social perceptions of relations between genders. In addition, the study raises questions and concerns relating to the assessment of the critical and audience reception of the film, further enhancing comprehension of its significance. These findings provide the impetus for Bollywood filmmakers to offer a standard that is less patently sexist and more progressive. This paper thus presents a call for the development of hegemonic masculinity depicting Indian media and urging change in the representation of gender in Indian cinema.