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 “Backbone” by Harrdy Sandhu
Link to video: Hardy Sandhu – Backbone | Jaani | B Praak | Zenith Sidhu | Latest Romantic Song 2017
Evaluating Masculinity
- Reinforcing stereotypes
- In the opening scene, the main male character and female character are seen running away after robbing a bank. The male character then helps the female character into a garbage can before jumping in himself to hide from police. This scene portrays the male character as aggressive and willing to take risks, and his helping of his female accomplice shows that he is more dominant and self-sufficient.
- As he walks down the sidewalk, the main male character snatches a necklace from a lady walking past him. Then, he decides to steal a Porsche on the street. These crimes show him as forceful, assertive, and ambitious in a way. These crimes are all spur of the moment, which shows that he also makes decisions easily.
- The crimes seem to largely be the idea of the main male character, and he seems to lead the female character in these crimes. This portrays him as acting as a leader.
- Resisting stereotypes
- The main male character is affectionate, warm, and cheerful towards the female character, doing things like constantly smiling at her and hugging her.
- For the majority of the music video, the male character wears clothing that is just as revealing as the female character’s outfits. This breaks general masculine and feminine stereotypes regarding clothing and objectification.
Evaluating Femininity
- Reinforcing stereotypes
- When with the male character, the main female character is affectionate, warm, and gentle, as she does things like gently holding his hand and resting her head on his shoulder.
- The male character picks up, twirls, and holds the female character. This portrays her as more childlike and tender.
- Resisting stereotypes
- The main female character has robbed a bank alongside the male character. This shows that she is willing to take risks and can be forceful and aggressive.
- Based on her eye contact and mannerisms, it is apparent that the main female character has a strong personality.
- As a spur of the moment crime, while the male character distracts a man, the female character snatches his car keys in order to steal the man’s Porsche. This shows that she is analytical and makes decisions easily.
- In the police squad chasing after the bank robbers, there is a female police officer, which shows a woman in a career that requires one to be ambitious, assertive, and forceful.
Shared by: Seela Raj
Image Credit: https://s2.dmcdn.net/v/SRf7z1VLI5pgNWqAN/x360