How Bollywood Has Redefined The Notion Of An Ideal Man

Salena Harshini |Feb 05, 2020

Much like women, there are obviously many stereotypes surrounding men and Bollywood has proven the opposite in a lot of movies.

Back in the old days, it can’t be denied that B-town created numerous of the most truculent men characters. But it would totally be a lie if one says that they never had a revolution in the parts.

Altering from a furious young man to one with more understanding and feminine side, the depiction of males on the screens has become more realistic over time. Bollywood has gradually handed us the belief that men who do not get threatened by strong women do exist.
So, let’s all check out the stereotypes list in Bollywood that crumbled with these new roles.

1. Men don’t know a thing about homemaking

Chef and Ki & Ka surely broke this stereotype with the role breaking parts portrayed by Saif Ali Khan and Arjun Kapoor. These movies boost the idea of males being avidly involved in daily house chores, therefore demolishing gender roles.

Saif Ali Khan Chef — *Saif in "Chef" is an example of an ideal man.*

Doing housework isn’t something that should only involve women as it’s the responsibility of everyone who shares a home.

2. Men don’t cry

We have certainly seen this stiffly applied to every man and they are said to have to be strong all the time. But as times are changing, the image has been fizzling down to what is much more believable.

Ranbir Kapoor Cry — *Who says men can't cry?*

Watch Ranbir Kapoor in the 2016 film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and you will see.

3. Men never admit their faults

You would come across a statement that men never accept the fact that they are wrong. However, there are quite a number of Bollywood films that have men acknowledging their mistakes.

Vicky Donor Ayushmann — *Who says men are ignorant?*

Vicky Donor starring Ayushmann Khurrana is an instance for this.

4. Men have to provide for women

Countless films have a plot where women don’t need any hero to save them. The outdated notion of males must provide for females has been broken several times and we can see that in Piku.

Deepika Piku — *It is an out-of-date idea that only men can provide.*

Deepika Padukone got under the skin of a financially independent woman. Meanwhile, in Ki & Ka, Kareena Kapoor Khan can be seen as the providing source of Arjun Kapoor and it is a total shift in the paradigm of man-woman.

5. Men can’t show feelings

You must admit that the masculinity definition is flawed. Males can be insecure and vulnerable, too. While some may not bare their thoughts and feelings out to you, it will be untrue to refer to them as ones who can’t express themselves at all.

Vicky Kaushal Raazi — *An ideal man is one who is not afraid to have their feelings shown.*

For example, in Raazi and Tanu weds Manu, the man parts expressed themselves and still, they were totally comfortable with their masculinity. Moreover, Tanu Weds Manu series’s Madhavan is an instance of how men show their feelings without being toxic. In Raazi, actor Vicky Kaushal depicts an understanding spouse who has no shame of his anxiety after getting married.