Women Filmmakers in Contemporary Hindi Cinema: Looking through their Gaze

This book is a comprehensive anthology of essays on women film directors, producers, and screenwriters from Bollywood, focusing on the major theories of modernity, postmodern feminism, semiotics, cultural production, and gender performativity. It will be of interest to academics and theorists of gender and Hindi cinema, as well as anybody interested in contemporary Hindi films.

Format: Hardback
Length: 330 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This book is a comprehensive anthology that encompasses a wide range of essays on women film directors, producers, and screenwriters from the Bollywood, or the popular Hindi film industry. Drawing upon significant theories of modernity, postmodern feminism, semiotics, cultural production, and gender performativity in the context of a globalized world, it offers a fresh perspective on films made by women filmmakers. Rather than limiting itself to the traditional categorization of films as 'feminist cinema,' the collection delves into the remarkable stories of a diverse group of women filmmakers, including Ashwini Iyer Tiwari, Bhavani Iyer, Farah Khan, Mira Nair Vijaya Mehta, and Zoya Akthar. This volume will appeal to scholars and theorists of gender and Hindi cinema, as well as anyone with an interest in contemporary Hindi films in their diverse manifestations.

The book explores the experiences and contributions of these women filmmakers to the Indian film industry, shedding light on their challenges, achievements, and the impact they have had on the representation of women and gender roles in cinema. It also examines the broader cultural and societal implications of their work, highlighting the ways in which Bollywood films have influenced popular perceptions and attitudes towards women and gender.

Through a diverse range of essays written by experts in the field, the book provides a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the role of women in the film industry in India. It offers valuable insights into the creative processes, professional challenges, and personal journeys of these filmmakers, highlighting their contributions to the development of Hindi cinema as a whole.

The anthology is organized into several sections, each focusing on a specific aspect of women's involvement in Bollywood films. These sections include essays on the history of women filmmakers in India, the challenges they face, and the opportunities they have created for themselves. There are also essays that explore the themes and narratives that are often explored in films made by women, such as gender inequality, domestic violence, and the representation of women in the workplace.

In addition to the essays, the book also includes a comprehensive bibliography that provides a comprehensive list of films directed, produced, and written by women in Bollywood. This bibliography serves as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in exploring the rich history and diversity of women's contributions to Indian cinema.

Overall, this book is a valuable contribution to the field of gender studies and Hindi cinema. It offers a fresh perspective on the experiences and contributions of women filmmakers in India and provides a wealth of information and insights that will be of interest to scholars, students, and enthusiasts of cinema and gender studies alike.

Weight: 564g
Dimension: 156 x 219 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031102318
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023