Voyeurism, Intrusion and Aggression: the courtship narratives of modern masala

Abstract

The prevalence of rape and sexual violence in India has been the subject of much recent discussion, leading some to question the role of Bollywood film in contributing to narratives of male dominance and normalised sexual violence. Bollywood itself has undergone extensive change in the past two decades, with a realignment of priorities away from the historical mass audience towards a new market dominated by the middle class. This thesis examines the courtship narratives of modern masala films starring Salman Khan, the most successful Bollywood genre in recent years. It argues that male dominance is a consistent theme of courtship, as the hero's control is solidified in three key ways: through his ability to commit acts of voyeurism and subject the heroine to a controlling male gaze; through his superior mobility and ability to enter the heroine‟s personal space; and through his superior physical strength and ability to make the heroine the subject of his physical violence. The films provide a consistent framework for a courtship dominated by male dominance and violence, disciplining modern heroines into traditional patriarchal structures and the traditional structure of herodominated masala film. The key finding is that modern masala films normalise and celebrate sexual aggression and male dominance as integral features of courtship.