Positive portrayal of female characters in Tamil cinema: a thread

Tamil cinema is criticised for it’s patriarchal and misogynistic portrayals of female characters. However, there were times when women were given equal or more importance in films. This thread focuses on such films and directors. Add your favourite films & characters .

Magalir Mattum (1994)

The story revolves around 3 women who were subjected to harassment at thier work place and they are trapped in a tragic situation. This movie breaks “man comes to the rescue” stereotype & beautifully portrays how they deal with it to escape the situation.

Snehithiye (2000)

Again another film that depicted women don’t need a saviour to save them from a tragedy. It revolves around 2 friends who are strong and independent and tries to escape from a trouble when a mystery man walks in to their life.

Aval oru thodarkathai (1974)

During when women were only seen as home makers and dependent KB beautifully portrayed the life of strong woman and how she can be independent yet sacrificial; breaking the stereotype of, must get married to have a “happily ever after” ending.

Kalki (1996)

While in modern day cinema female leads get “slut shamed” and judged for just engaging with another man, Kalki, a KB film from 1996 was loud and clear about “her body, her choices”. The film illustrates chauvinism and sexism which are still relevant even now.

Iraivi (2016)

While the movie captures the male arrogance, struggles of woman and illustrates more ideologies; I personally loved the “Ponni” character. Her transformation into a strong and resolve women is refreshing to see.

Aruvi (2016)

A woman with HIV who was sexually exploited tries to survive against the judgemental society. She’s portrayed strong, independent, and fearless. Parents should educate girl child to not to not just accept things the way they are but learn to question.

Kandukonden Kandukonden

Meenakshi/Meenu is a day dreamer playful but she stands for what is right. When she finds out her man is leaving her she tries to stay strong and maintains her “self-respect”. Her self-growth & how she improves as a person is shown through out the film.

Roja ( 1992)

Roja is an innocent village girl who gets married to a stranger & just as he falls for him, he gets kidnapped. Her determination to fight and find her husband is just inspiring to watch. It’s the transformation & growth into a strong women that steals the show.

KB: Special Mention

He is one of the few directors who had well written female characters. His films talked about feminism when it wasn’t even a “thing” in the society. The female characters in his films weren’t overly celebrated but just a “normal human”.
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Who had faults of their own but were striving to be successful in their lives. He made films which revolved around ordinary characters and gave equal or more importance to women. The realism in portraying female characters is what the modern day cinema lacks.
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Mani Ratnam: Special Mention

He portrays the emotions and feelings of women with no drama & exaggeration. Female characters in his films are indipendent of the male lead & have their space to express themselves. Emotional yet intense.

Gautham Menon: Special Mention

I am always amazed by how beautiful women are portrayed in his films. May be not so revolutionary & they exist in man’s world, they aren’t submissive or influenced. He stands different as he tries to give equal importance to the female characters.

Special Mentions

Shyama: kannathil muthamittal
Archana: Mozhi
Althea: Taramani
Madhivathani: Aram
Abi: Abiyum Nanum
Vasanthi: 36 Vayadhinile
Tara: Ok kanmani
Sowmya: kandukonden Kandukonden
Kani: Angadi Theru

Female Directors & Technicians

Sudha Kongara: Irudhi sutru
Gayathri Manikandan: Vikram Vedha
Lakshmi Ramakrishnan: Aarohanam
Halitha: Sillu karuppatti
Suhasini: Indhira
Thamarai: Lyricist
Kiruthika: Vanakkam Chennai

With all the feminist movements and campaigns in modern days, we’d expect to see more gender-equal roles in Tamil cinema. However, the importance of women have massively reduced. They are either used for eyecandy or traditional norms are still enforced to put them down.

Even when women centric films are made, they lack realism as they overly celebrate women just for doing the most basic things. As a woman I would love to see a more realistic approach in portraying female characters.

Thank you.