The Brownfaced Bollywood: An Analysis on the Presentation of Dark-Skinned Characters in Bollywood Films (Based on the 2019 Movies, Bala, Gully Boy and Super 30)

Abstract

One way to answer why representation is necessary is by substantiating the consequences of the shortfall in representation. Representation matters because they represent people, places, things and events! And these representations can be someone’s first impressions. A child who has just been exposed to the world of fairytales might think that being beautiful is to possess golden hair and light skin! Representation matters because it teaches you about communities, identities, indigenous groups, social issues and even the history of events. A medium like cinema that has the potential to reach a massive audience should always be cautious and well-researched when it decides to volume up areas that require attentiveness. A content creator must hold both sensibility and sensitivity during the attempt to understand the subject.

Through this research study, the researcher has decided to investigate the existence of colourism in the Bollywood industry, by analyzing the portrayal behaviours of the dark-skinned characters on the screen. The repetitive patterns used in the depictions, the structuration of characters and examining whether the attributed features of the characters are necessary or are upshots of prejudiced minds.

The study focuses on examining the presentation of dark-skinned characters in the Bollywood industry, based on the movies, Super 30, Bala and Gully Boy, released in the year 2019 and the stereotypes associated with these depictions. All three movies comprise central characters who are dark-skinned. A content analysis based on the media representation theory and semiotics theory by Charles Sanders Pierce has been conducted to understand the patterns and similarities in showcasing dark-skinned characters on the screen. A sample survey consisting of 100 samples has also been carried out to gain perceptions of the general audience concerning the presence of colourism in the industry.

How to cite this article:
Varghese R. The Brownfaced Bollywood: An Analysis on the Presentation of Dark-Skinned
Characters in Bollywood Films (Based on the 2019 Movies, Bala, Gully Boy and Super 30).
J Adv Res Jrnl Mass Comm 2022; 9(4): 15-19. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2395.3810.202210