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 “Phir Bhi Tumko Chaahunga” from the Bollywood movie Half Girlfriend.

Link to video: Phir Bhi Tumko Chaahunga – Full Video | Half Girlfriend| Arjun K,Shraddha K | Arijit Singh| Mithoon

Translation of song lyrics: http://www.bollymeaning.com/2017/04/main-phir-bhi-tumko-chahunga-lyrics.html 

Evaluating Masculinity

  • Reinforcing stereotypes
    • In one scene, a group of men are shown arguing and pushing each other on the street, reinforcing the stereotype of aggression.
  • Resisting stereotypes
    • In one instance, the main male character shows up to a class that the main female character is teaching. When the female character tells him to wait outside because she is busy, he happily complies. This shows the male character as being yielding and understanding, stereotypically feminine traits.
    • Throughout the music video, the main female character does most of the talking and is much more active than the main male character, who is quiet yet loving and loyal to the female character. This portrays the male character not as aggressive or assertive but instead as shy, soft-spoken, and tender, stereotypically feminine traits.
    • Throughout the music video, the main male character is very obviously in love with the main female character, and he shows this by constantly being by her side, even sleeping in the stairwell outside of her room during the night. This shows him as less individualistic and more loyal and affectionate, stereotypically feminine traits. The way he portrays his love is more stereotypically feminine, being gentle and tender.
    • In the lyrics of the song, the male singer sings about loving a woman and being willing to “die for this love.” He goes on to sing, “You are necessary for me, like air for breathing,” and “whether I have to laugh or cry, I look for you…”  These lyrics, sung by a man to a woman, portray the man, and also the main male character in the music video, as affectionate, loyal, and tender, all stereotypically female traits. 

Evaluating Femininity

  • Reinforcing stereotypes
    • Throughout the music video, the main female character often wears warm colors typically associated with femininity, like pinks and reds, while the male character wears more dull colored clothing.
  • Resisting stereotypes
    • In one scene, the main male and female characters are shown moving into a house, and the female character hands the male character items and tells him to put them away. In this instance, the female character is shown to be assertive and have a leadership ability, stereotypically masculine traits.
    • The main female character is shown planning and teaching English classes. Being active and successful in her career portrays her as ambitious, independent, self-sufficient, and even dominant, typically masculine traits.
    • Throughout the music video, the main female character is very talkative, active, and expressive. Her actions portray her to be assertive and have a strong personality.

Shared by: Seela Raj
Image Credit: https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PNVCkLkdX-E/Xp2paNyICBI/AAAAAAAAn7w/NqID90LR6O0ML2KoJPA1xLgOuH-80iwXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/PhirBhiTumkoChaahungaLyricsWhatsAppStatus.JPG