Gendered Humour in Tamil Cinema: Capturing Gender Dynamics in Consumption of Comedies in Tamil Films

The article attempts to inquire into the role of humour in Tamil cinema through a gendered perspective, analysing how comedic elements function as a means of reinforcing and contesting patriarchal norms. This study utilises Stuart Hall’s Reception Theory alongside a post-structural feminist framework to examine the reactions of homemakers aged 30-50 to humour in Tamil cinema. The findings indicate that humour within Tamil cinema frequently perpetuates hegemonic masculinity, objectifies women, and reinforces conventional gender roles. This article advances the discourse by illuminating the dual nature of humour as a form of entertainment and a mechanism for social critique, bearing significant implications for media studies, gender theory, and cultural sociology.