“Cultural Sensitivity or Stereotype? How South Asian Films Can Avoid Harmful Tropes About Women’s Mental Health”
South Asian cinema has a long history of exploring themes of family, love, and tradition. While these films often offer rich portrayals of culture and identity, they can also perpetuate harmful stereotypes—especially when it comes to sensitive issues like women’s mental health. For many years, South Asian films have depicted women’s emotional struggles in one-dimensional or exaggerated ways, contributing to a distorted view of mental health. However, there’s an opportunity for filmmakers to shift these narratives by embracing cultural sensitivity and portraying mental health with authenticity and respect. By avoiding harmful tropes, South Asian films can contribute positively to the conversation about women’s mental health.
1. The Problem of Harmful Tropes in South Asian Cinema:
South Asian films, especially mainstream ones, often fall back on familiar stereotypes when portraying women’s mental health. Some of these harmful tropes include:
- The “Martyr” Woman: In many films, women are shown enduring mental and emotional suffering without seeking help, sometimes glorifying the idea of self-sacrifice and silent suffering for the sake of family. This trope often overlooks the complexity of mental health issues and presents emotional distress as something that must be quietly borne without seeking support.
- The “Hysterical” Woman: Another common trope is portraying women who are struggling with mental health as being excessively emotional, irrational, or even dangerous. This portrayal often results in mental health issues being trivialized as just over-dramatization or hysteria, diminishing the seriousness of conditions like depression or anxiety.
- The “Depressed Woman” in the Background: Films sometimes depict women as passive victims of their circumstances—constantly overshadowed by familial or societal pressure. These characters may appear depressed, but their mental health struggles often serve as a plot device rather than a storyline that is explored with depth and care.
These stereotypes not only fail to portray mental health accurately but can also make it harder for viewers to empathize with those facing real struggles. When these portrayals are tied to cultural norms—such as the expectation for women to always be selfless or to remain stoic in the face of adversity—it deepens the stigma surrounding mental health in South Asian communities.
2. The Importance of Cultural Sensitivity:
For South Asian films to move past harmful tropes, cultural sensitivity is key. Mental health issues, like depression or anxiety, exist in every culture. However, the way these issues are perceived, dealt with, and portrayed can vary based on cultural values, societal expectations, and familial dynamics.
In South Asian culture, where mental health is often stigmatized and not openly discussed, filmmakers must be mindful of how they depict mental health challenges. Rather than resorting to simplistic or exaggerated portrayals, filmmakers should aim to reflect the complexity and nuance of women’s experiences. A culturally sensitive approach ensures that mental health struggles are not sensationalized but presented as real and relatable challenges that deserve empathy and understanding.
3. Depicting Realistic and Empowering Narratives:
One way South Asian filmmakers can avoid harmful tropes is by focusing on realistic and empowering narratives. Instead of relying on stereotypes of women suffering in silence, filmmakers can create characters who actively engage with their mental health, seek therapy, set boundaries, and find support within their families or communities. Here are some ways to achieve that:
- Provide Contextual Depth: Show the societal and familial pressures that contribute to a woman’s mental health struggles, but also depict her agency in addressing these challenges. This approach humanizes the character and makes her journey relatable.
- Highlight Resilience and Strength: Mental health recovery is rarely linear. South Asian women in films should not just be portrayed as victims of their circumstances but as individuals who actively seek healing, even if it means breaking societal norms or family expectations. This can include seeking therapy, setting boundaries, or having open conversations about their mental health.
- Show Family Support: Instead of presenting families as obstacles or dismissing the issue of mental health, films can depict families who are open to dialogue and willing to understand and support their loved ones’ mental health needs. This would align with cultural values of familial ties while encouraging healthy communication.
- Authentic Storytelling: Avoid oversimplifying or sensationalizing mental health issues. If a character is struggling with anxiety or depression, allow the film to explore these challenges in depth, showing the emotional and psychological toll it takes on the character. At the same time, show the various ways she seeks healing—through therapy, self-reflection, or supportive relationships.
4. Learning from Global Examples:
There are several South Asian films and series that have succeeded in portraying women’s mental health issues with cultural sensitivity, offering valuable lessons for filmmakers.
For instance, the 2016 Bollywood film Dear Zindagi starring Alia Bhatt, breaks away from the typical portrayals of mental health struggles. It shows the protagonist, Kaira, grappling with anxiety and depression, but it also depicts her seeking professional help from a therapist played by Shah Rukh Khan. This film portrays therapy as a legitimate form of help, removing the stigma around seeking professional mental health care, while still respecting cultural values.
In Tumhari Sulu (2017), Vidya Balan’s character navigates the balance between her family’s expectations and her own desires, with a storyline that touches on women’s mental health in a relatable and empowering way. It’s not just about the struggle, but about self-discovery, breaking free from societal constraints, and finding personal empowerment.
These films highlight the importance of addressing mental health challenges in a way that is sensitive to cultural nuances, while also moving beyond reductive portrayals.
5. The Role of Filmmakers and Audiences:
Filmmakers must take responsibility for the narratives they create and recognize the influence their work has on societal perceptions of mental health. By avoiding harmful tropes and focusing on culturally sensitive, nuanced portrayals of women’s mental health, filmmakers can help shape more realistic and empathetic depictions of mental health in South Asian communities.
Audiences, too, play a role in shifting the narrative. Supporting films that portray mental health in a thoughtful, empowered manner helps encourage more such films to be made. It also fosters an environment where mental health discussions are normalized and destigmatized.
Conclusion:
South Asian films have a significant role to play in changing the conversation around women’s mental health. By avoiding harmful stereotypes and embracing cultural sensitivity, filmmakers can create stories that reflect the real experiences of South Asian women, offering narratives that empower and heal rather than harm. It’s time for South Asian cinema to break free from outdated tropes and move toward a more inclusive, understanding, and empowering portrayal of mental health.