International Journal of History

Author(s): P Sadasivam

Abstract: This paper critically examines the evolving roles of women in contemporary Tamil cinema, focusing on how representation has shifted in the last two decades. Tamil cinema, deeply rooted in South India's cultural and political history, has traditionally portrayed women in rigid and often reductive roles such as the self-sacrificing mother, the virtuous wife, or the ornamental romantic interest. While these stereotypes have persisted, recent years have witnessed a growing departure from such portrayals, especially in films that foreground female experience, agency, and resistance. The paper analyses a diverse range of films, from commercial blockbusters to independent and OTT-based narratives, that challenge patriarchal norms and engage with feminist and intersectional concerns. It explores how female characters increasingly inhabit roles of psychological depth, moral complexity, and socio-political awareness. Furthermore, it considers the contributions of women directors, writers, and producers in reshaping the industry's gendered discourse. By examining cinematic techniques, narrative structures, and the cultural reception of these films, this study argues that Tamil cinema is undergoing a gradual but critical transformation toward more inclusive and empowering representations of women.

DOI: 10.22271/27069109.2025.v7.i11b.570

Pages: 112-115 | Views: 183 | Downloads: 124

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