Films that gave a Thappad to patriarchy & exposed the ugly face of society

Jan 30, 2025

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Indian cinema has played a significant role in reflecting the pressing issues prevalent in society. Over the years, there have been remarkable films that dared to expose the dark underbelly of societal norms and challenge the oppressive forces of patriarchy. These films not only raised awareness but also left an indelible impact on the collective consciousness of the nation. Here’s a quick look at 10 films that fearlessly portrayed the harsh realities of our society, effectively challenging patriarchal norms and inspiring change.

‘Ardhangini’ (2023) Directed by Kaushik Ganguly, the story starts with Suman Chatterjee’s (Kaushik Sen) cerebral attack and a subsequent comatose state that brings his wife Meghna (Jaya Ahsan) and ex-wife Subhra (Churni Ganguly) together on a mission. The film unfolds the layers of complex equations, social conventions, and dynamics of affection within and beyond a family. This is also among those very few films which challenge patriarchy with a mature intent.

‘Lipstick Under My Burkha’ (2016) Alankrita Shrivastava’s film courageously tackled the taboos surrounding female sexuality and showcased the dreams and desires of four women who refuse to be confined by societal expectations. The director skillfully tells stories of women who have to lie, cheat and hide to lead their authentic lives. Lipstick… may not drastically change things for women, but it’ll certainly smudge a few boundary lines.

‘Paromitar Ek Din’ (2000) It’s a unique friendship at the crux of the story. Paromita (Rituparna), a modern woman and her mother-in-law Sanaka (Aparna Sen) develop a friendship bond. The differences in age and thoughts can’t stop them from becoming each other's confidants. But, Paromita and Sanaka's son one day splits away and the social structure creates a barrier between Paramita and Sanaka. The Aparna Sen directorial tries to explore women of different generations and establishes a shocking differences and similarity at the same time between the women from a wider perspective.

‘Mirch Masala’ (1987) Ketan Mehta’s powerful film tells the story of a strong-willed woman who, along with other village women, boldly stands up against the tyranny of a government official and challenges gender-based oppression. The feminist message is still relevant today as it was then and this movie is very effective no matter where or when you are watching it.

‘Goynar Baksho’ (2013) Extremely witty, provocative, highly lyrical, and languid, Aparna Sen’s ‘Goynar Baksho’ will definitely flirt with you and also arouse but it will not submit to you in any part. It depicts the changing status of women in the society throughout three generations. The horror-comedy tests filmlovers’ patience to make you laugh with the content and enjoy the pride to be a part of history you forgot. It’s the screen adaptation of Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay's popular story of 3 generations of women and their positional and social shift, attached with a box of jewels, handed over from one generation to the next.

‘Parched’ (2015) Directed by Leena Yadav, this thought-provoking film delved into the lives of three women in rural Rajasthan, exploring themes of sexuality, patriarchy, and the struggle for independence. A widow, Rani (Tannishtha), a childless woman, Lajjo (Radhika) and a sex worker Bijli (Surveen) from a village in a North Western Region in India are victims of age-old traditions like child marriage, physical abuse, alcoholic husbands and social apathy. Will they be able to break the shackles?

‘Parama’ (1984) With Rakhee Gulzar in the titular role, this Aparna Sen-directed classic follows a married woman whose circumstances force her to find out her own voice and confront the patriarchal domination in her traditional Bengali household. The simple narrative conveys an intricate tale of an illicit affair. Aparna Sen herself reckons the film to be her most feminist one. How far can the mental tenacity go for a married woman facing her act of sexual liberation is the film all about.

‘Lajja’ (2001) Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, this hard-hitting film exposed the harsh reality of gender inequality in Indian society. It highlighted the courage and resilience of women in the face of violence, discrimination, and societal pressure. Decades before the #metoo movement began, this film had become the voice for struggles that women face in India.

‘Pink’ (2016) This courtroom drama, directed by Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, sheds light on the issue of consent and the importance of respecting women's choices. It confronted society's victim-blaming mentality and sparked conversations about women's rights. This film is a powerful statement on the existing feudal mindset of a majority of India, where men and women are judged by a different yardstick.

‘Thappad’ (2020) Directed by Anubhav Sinha, this hard-hitting film questioned the acceptance of domestic violence within Indian households. It emphasized the importance of consent, self-respect, and individual agency. It is a silent slap on our society's age-old belief that — 'shaadi mein sab kuch chalta hain'. But honestly, should it be that way? And that is what we need to start talking about... now!