Feminism and Bangladeshi mainstream cinema—now that’s a mismatched on-screen couple if we’ve ever seen one. For decades, Dhallywood has gifted us with resilient heroines… resilient in the sense that they can endure a three-hour film of suffering before either dying tragically or getting “saved” by the hero. Character development? Never heard of her.
Let’s face it—our films embrace their Shokhi Tumi Kar? (1980) brand of feminism. If a woman dares to be independent, the script ensures she either marries by the final scene or faces a punishment by fate (preferably accompanied by a tragic soundtrack). The “modern” woman in 90s-2000s Dhallywood? She’s either an evil rich girl or a misguided rebel who needs a good “shongshodhon” by the hero to come back to her senses.
But hold on—there have been some exceptions! Meghla Akash (2001) addressed women’s health stigma. Dipu Number 2 (1996) introduced a tomboyish, adventurous girl who wasn’t just there for romance. And, of course, Beder Meye Josna (1989) depicted a woman fighting for love and dignity—but let’s not forget, at the end of the day, she still needed a prince to complete her story.
So, we ask you:
-What’s the most unintentionally feminist Bangladeshi film you’ve seen?
-Are there any mainstream films that actually got feminism right?
-Which Bangladeshi film heroine do you think deserved a better ending?
Drop your picks below! Let’s discuss this before another hero delivers justice with a flying kick and a monologue about “maya-motherly love”!
Bangladesh Feminist Archives 