Javed Akhtar expresses his views on the portrayal of 'modern women' in cinema

He questioned filmmakers, audiences on understanding of contemporary female characters

He highlighted the confusion surrounding the depiction of modern women

Veteran writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar recently expressed his views on the portrayal of ‘modern women’ in cinema, questioning both filmmakers and audiences on their understanding of contemporary female characters. He highlighted the confusion surrounding the depiction of modern women on screen.

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Akhtar pointed out that while past eras produced strong and memorable female roles, such as Nargis in Mother India and Meena Kumari in Saheb, Biwi Aur Ghulam, today’s cinema lacks similar depth in its portrayal of women. He argued that the clarity of societal values and aspirations greatly influences the quality of writing, suggesting that the uncertainty in modern morality is reflected in weaker character development for women.

He revisited the 1990s, describing it as a period when writing for female characters declined significantly. Akhtar noted that despite the immense talent of actors like Sridevi and Madhuri Dixit, they rarely received roles that matched their abilities. He attributed this not to any intentional bias but to society’s unclear vision of the contemporary woman during that time.

Akhtar’s critique sheds light on the ongoing struggle in Indian cinema to create authentic and compelling roles for women, urging filmmakers to rethink how they represent modern female characters.

The event was hosted by Indian Express.