IntroductionIn South Asian cinema, the image of the “perfect woman” has long been a staple—a woman who embodies grace, resilience, beauty, and strength, often without acknowledging the mental and emotional toll these expectations take on her. From the long-suffering wife who holds the family together to the young woman who sacrifices her dreams for the good of her community, South Asian films have consistently glorified this image of female perfection. But behind these polished facades lies a darker, hidden reality. These women, though presented as models of idealism, often carry deep, unspoken psychological burdens—struggles with mental health that go unacknowledged and are frequently left out of the narrative. In a…