Bollywood Movie Addresses Rape in India
The movie Pink, released on September 16, begins with three girls who meet a few male friends at a rock concert. The mood of the night quickly shifts when one of the men molests the main character. She hits him with a beer bottle in self defense, injuring him. The girl files a complaint with the police, but the situation escalates; she is charged with assault and taken to jail.
Though Pink is a fictional movie, it tells a story that is familiar to many women. The movie raises questions regarding consensual sex, the relationship between virginity and character, and the potential legal implications of self-defense. This new topic challenges Bollywood’s misogynistic undertones, in which a man’s excessive pursuit of a woman is romanticized.
Moreover, the notable response indicates that the public believes that this is a topic that needs to be addressed. The release of the Bollywood movie has started a national frenzy over women’s empowerment by addressing the issue of rape in India. In exploring social shaming and the legal implications of rape, Pink has provided a platform for nationwide dialogue. This movie utilizes the strong influence of Bollywood throughout India to spread awareness and information about rape
The mass publicity of Pink has already resulted in positive developments concerning sexual consent education throughout India. The Indian government plans to use the movie as a platform to educate young adults and promote awareness of FIR (First Information Report) laws. Madhur Verma, Delhi's Deputy Commissioner of Police, stated, "The reason Pink hits so hard is because it shows reality. Like in the movie, even in real life, not many women are aware about many important laws like the Zero FIR.” The Delhi police hope to use the movie as a way to connect to young women in schools and college campuses and to teach them their legal rights. Pink represents a big step in protecting victims and combating rape, and it will hopefully have significant implications on the advancement of legal rights education for women in the region.