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 “Khairiyat” from the Bollywood movie Chhichhore.
Link to video: Full Song: KHAIRIYAT (BONUS TRACK) | CHHICHHORE | Sushant, Shraddha | Pritam, Amitabh B|Arijit Singh
Evaluating Masculinity
- Reinforcing stereotypes
- Much of the music video takes place at a college of technology, and most students at this college are male besides the main female character, in most scenes. Portraying a college of technology with a majority male student population reinforces the stereotypes that men are more ambitious and dominant in the technology field compared to women.
- Only male students are shown participating in sports, such as cricket and weight lifting, reinforcing stereotypically masculine traits of athleticness, competitiveness, and aggression.
- Resisting stereotypes
- In several instances, a crowd of male students is seen absent-mindedly following around the main female character, all admiring her with smiles but not being courageous enough to talk to her. This defies the stereotypical masculine traits of being independent, assertive, and individualistic, instead portraying these male students with stereotypically feminine traits of being cheerful, shy, and even childlike.
- The main male character of the music video is shown as being shy, soft-spoken, and cheerful when around the main female character, all stereotypically feminine traits.
- In many instances, the main male character is shown catering to the main female character, bringing her food and even giving her his drinks. This defies the stereotypical masculine traits of being individualistic and self-reliant and instead portrays stereotypically feminine traits of being affectionate, loyal, and sensitive to others’ needs.
Evaluating Femininity
- Reinforcing stereotypes
- Although many male students are pursuing her, the main female character is stereotypically not susceptible to flattery from most of these male characters.
- The female students are shown in the stands cheering on the male students during athletic events. This reinforces stereotypical feminine traits of cheerfulness and warmth. The fact that female students do not play any of the sports reinforce stereotypical traits of tenderness and gentleness.
- Resisting stereotypes
- While the male characters are almost always shown together in groups of two or more, the main female character is often alone. This portrays her as independent and self-sufficient, stereotypically masculine traits.
- Although the main male character is often shy and nervous around the main female character, she is quite the opposite. She shows stereotypically masculine traits of being assertive, dominant, and having a strong personality. She somewhat reverses the stereotypical roles of a relationship between a man and a woman in this way.
Shared by: Seela Raj
Image Credit: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/music/news/chhichhore-new-song-khairiyat-arijit-singhs-soothing-voice-showcases-sushant-and-shraddhas-innocent-love-story/articleshow/70924884.cms?from=mdr