Song in Guide was first feminist anthem: Waheeda Rehman - Page 3

Originally posted by: ibelieveinpink

And the biggest actresses of today are so content playing flowerpot roles. It's such a regression especially when there's more liberation today and females can actually command more power.

Rosie(Waheeda) had an adulterous relationship with the Guide(Dev Anand)

@Atom: yup. I think that's so pathetic though. I don't wanna say women of today aren't trail-blazers b/c like someone mentioned Vidya and Sonam are good examples, and Anushka too now. And there are actresses that are married with children that demand bounded scripts, top billing, etc. But if we compare their filmography to that of Nutan and Waheeda...it pails. Kajol played it safe through her whole career, Kareena immense powerhouse of talent picked projects based on the hero, Karishma and Urmila started doing more daring projects towards the end of their careers. It was more like they were content till those roles started running out and they have to search for new avenues. It wasn't a conscious choice, IMO. I always felt that amount of freedom women have in society doesn't translate well into BW, which amazes me b/c they're all such elitists.

Hetal

I don't think 80s can be judged entirely male centric. If we had masala cinema, we also had films like Chaalbaaz, Chandni, all those Smita Patil/Shabana Azmi films in same era.
Though it's true that when long reigning stars age, the filmmakers start to focus on personality cult of the hero than make films that include everyone.

I also feel that rise of cinema as an industry, has led to excessive focus on profits and commercialisation.

One could make a film like Khamoshi earlier because risk was less. Today stakes are higher.

Cable, TV, DVD, Internet have further harmed the industry. People used to atleast watch a film for fav actor or catchy song earlier. Now they can watch the "small" film online or get a DVD. We raved about Do Dooni Chaar but how many watched it in theatre? Where's the incentive for the makers and producers?

Not many want to take risk. Especially when they get ranked on basis of each release.

Smartly packaged, well marketed films with good story do well but even after successes like EV, Queen, Kahaani, Mardaani, I find makers less keen on trying different stuff. Maybe failure of other films like Heroine, Dedh Ishqiya Gulabi gang etc dissuade them from investing in this genre. 😕

She's spot on. Not only was this the first feminist song but it is essentially, a highly inspirational song. The entire dance sequence depicts the same with Waheeda's character with her arms spread wide, singing her heart Out. :)

What's also so weird is that Television has gotten regressive compared the late 80s and early 90s. I mean remember Tara or even Heena? Or that one show about the girl that gets raped and goes into coma and how are parents are trying to get her justice. Or shows like BAB that tackles youth issues like obssesive lovers, stalking, date rape drugs, etc.

Originally posted by: ibelieveinpink

What's also so weird is that Television has gotten regressive compared the late 80s and early 90s. I mean remember Tara or even Heena? Or that one show about the girl that gets raped and goes into coma and how are parents are trying to get her justice. Or shows like BAB that tackles youth issues like obssesive lovers, stalking, date rape drugs, etc.

It's a weird trend. I don't know if there's this struggle to become progressive and then all of sudden society thinks we've reached extreme levels of progressiveness and then they backtrack to extreme regressiveness.

Good point on DDC, but look at Yash Raj now and how they're next 3 releases are basically more "indie" type films. I think SRK (Sid Roy) took a lot of risks with smaller budget films that paid off and finally the more well-known production companies that are household names are using this strategy and reaching that urabn and rural market. BTW:Heroine and DI were just bad films that got a pretty decent opening. Sometimes small films don't work b/c they're bad, but there are good small films that need the right PH to take risks. DLKH was one of those that pops into my head. So was Vicky Donor, Paan Singh Tomar, Aamir, etc.

Originally posted by: Mallika-E-Bhais

I loved Heena & Saans, Siski, and the Pallavi Joshi starrer show who se name am forgetting but she's the one who goes into a coma. Tv truly was highly progressive in the 90s! And it was excellent tv! Dekh bhai dekh, Tu Tu Main Main stills elicit laughs!! Stuff like Khichdi & SVS won't & can't be replicated Today so we are stuck with the rotting vegetables they dish out to us in the name of refined biryani.

The 80s and 90s shows are class apart. Probably they existed because there was no TRP system.
Ever since they started measuring TRPs, shows became more regressive. Amanat being the frontrunner in this trend.

I think youth, educated, modern people watch less TV. The makers know their target audience is average neighbourhood aunty or housewife and this is why they started making regressive shows.

The point about regressive values might hold true. Surveys reveal even children have backward and rigid views on caste, gender, religion etc. Youth surveys also show prevalence of conservative attitude.
I don't understand why this happens. Maybe communities foster conservative values as a defense mechanism to "protect" the values which they feel, are disintegrating.

Part of the reason of the film industry going down is the Khan ego. I am a fan, but I have to admit, none of them can share the limelight. They all want to be larger than life heroes. Everyone else was trying to be like the Khans and women got sidelined.