Redefining Femininity: Analysing the Portrayal of Women in Bhumika and Qala

Abstract The research paper examines the portrayal of women in Shyam Benegal’s Bhumika (1977) and Anvita Dutta’s Qala (2022), two films that challenge traditional gender norms and offer a complex redefinition of femininity in Indian cinema. Both films focus on female protagonists—Urmila in Bhumika and Qala in Qala—who navigate the tensions between personal aspirations and societal expectations. While Bhumika portrays Urmila’s struggle with identity within the patriarchal constraints of the film industry, Qala explores the emotional abuse faced by a young woman trying to succeed in the competitive world of Bollywood music. By analyzing these characters’ internal conflicts, relationships, and societal pressures, the paper highlights how the filmmakers subvert the typical portrayal of women in Indian cinema, moving beyond traditional roles to present multifaceted, autonomous characters. The films critique the objectification and exploitation of women in the entertainment industry, showing how femininity is shaped by both personal agency and external constraints. Ultimately, this research aims to explore how Bhumika and Qala offer feminist reinterpretations of femininity, presenting women not merely as passive victims, but as individuals with complex desires and struggles, thus contributing to the ongoing discourse on gender and representation in Indian cinema. Keywords: Gender and Identity, Femininity, Women in Film, Indian cinema, Feminist Film Theory