Advanced International Journal for Research

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Women Behind the Camera: Women Filmmakers and the Politics of Feminist Cinema in India.

Author(s) Dr. Anu P
Country India
Abstract Cinema functions not merely as entertainment but as a powerful cultural institution that shapes social perceptions of gender, identity and power. While the representation of women on screen has received considerable critical attention, the participation of women in the processes of filmmaking and creative decision-making remains equally significant. This paper examines the emergence and evolution of women filmmakers in Indian cinema, with particular attention to Malayalam cinema, and analyses their contribution to the politics of feminist representation. Drawing upon feminist film theory, particularly Laura Mulvey’s concept of the male gaze and bell hooks’ notion of the oppositional gaze, the study explores how women’s presence behind the camera can challenge established structures of cinematic representation and authority. The paper traces the contributions of women filmmakers such as Aparna Sen, Sai Paranjpye, Mira Nair, Deepa Mehta, Kiran Rao and Alankrita Shrivastava, before focusing on women directors in Malayalam cinema, including Vijaya Nirmala, Anjali Menon, Geetu Mohandas, Vidhu Vincent, Ratheena, Shruthi Sharanyam, Indu Lakshmi and Indu V. S. It argues that women’s filmmaking is not necessarily synonymous with feminist cinema; rather, their participation creates possibilities for alternative perspectives, narratives and modes of visualising lived experiences. The paper also examines women’s film festivals and the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) as important political and institutional spaces that question gendered power structures and workplace inequalities. Ultimately, the study argues that increasing women’s participation in filmmaking is not simply a matter of gender representation but a crucial step towards redistributing creative authority and democratising cinematic culture.
Keywords Women Filmmakers, Feminist Cinema, Indian Cinema, Malayalam Cinema, Male Gaze, Women in Cinema Collective, Gender Representation, Film Politics
Field Arts > Movies / Music / TV
Published In Volume 7, Issue 4, July-August 2026
Published On 2026-08-18
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