I am analyzing the most viewed Bollywood music videos on YouTube using the Sex Role Perspective. While analyzing with the Sex Role Perspective, I will utilize the items for evaluating masculinity and femininity as presented by Hyde (1995, p. 134), and these specific items will be italicized. In this post, I will be discussing the music video for “Taaron Ke Shehar” by Neha Kakkar.
Link to video: Taaron Ke Shehar Song: Neha Kakkar, Sunny Kaushal | Jubin Nautiyal,Jaani | Bhushan Kumar | Arvindr K
Evaluating Masculinity
- Reinforcing stereotypes
- In the opening scene, the main male character and female character are shown in a standoff with police while robbing a bank. Although both are involved in the crime, the male character looks like he is doing more of the work, and he is more calm and focused. This portrays him as having a very strong personality and having leadership ability over the female character.
- The male character is a criminal that carries a gun, leads crimes, evades the police, and dances with the female character while the police shoot at them. This all portrays him as aggressive, assertive, and willing to take risks.
- The male character and female character escape the police by grabbing onto a rope dropped down by a helicopter and getting carried away. However, it is the male character that holds the rope and holds the female character, while she just holds onto him. This portrays him as more forceful, athletic, and self-sufficient, while she depends on him.
- In their relationship, the male character appears more dominant, as he protects the female character, holds her, drives her in the car, and leads her in committing crimes.
- Resisting stereotypes
- When the female character looks worried while in a standoff with police, the male character comforts her by playing a song on their airpods for her. This shows him as sensitive to others’ needs and understanding.
- The male character is quite affectionate, tender, gentle, and warm towards the female character, dancing with her, gently touching her face, kissing her hand, and smiling at her. He also shows that he is very loyal to the female character in many instances.
Evaluating Femininity
- Reinforcing stereotypes
- The male character is often holding and lifting up the female character. This portrays her as more childlike and tender.
- The female character is very affectionate, gentle, and warm towards the male character, smiling at him and gently touching his face in many instances.
- The female character is very loyal to the male character.
- Resisting stereotypes
- The main female character carries a gun and robs a bank with the male character. She also dances with the male character while bullets whiz by them. This all shows her as aggressive, willing to take risks, and having a strong personality.
- The female character is shown laying in and throwing around money from robbing the bank. Here, she is portrayed as individualistic.
- In one scene, the female character rips away from police to run back to the male character, showing that she is forceful and assertive.
Shared by: Seela Raj
Image Credit: https://songslyricsmint.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Taaron-Ke-Shehar-Song-Lyrics-Featuring-Neha-Kakkar-Sunny-Kaushal-01.jpg
