A recent Bollywood film, Param Sundari, has sparked discussions about the portrayal of characters from non-Hindi speaking states in Indian cinema. This romantic comedy features a love story between a woman from Kerala and a man from Delhi, highlighting cultural differences as they navigate their relationship.
Critics have voiced concerns over the film’s stereotypical depiction of Kerala. The character of Sundari, portrayed by Janhvi Kapoor, is shown engaging in activities like climbing coconut trees and communicating with elephants, which are commonly associated with the state. However, her poor command of Malayalam has drawn particular criticism, especially when her mispronunciation of her own name was highlighted in the film’s trailer.
Similar concerns have emerged from comparisons to another film, The Kerala Story, which also faced backlash for its character portrayals. Viewers have noted that despite living in Kerala, the heroines in both films struggle with the local language. Additionally, instances of casual racism and cultural stereotyping have been flagged by audiences, particularly regarding exaggerated reactions to place names in Kerala.
Though some viewers find enjoyment in the cultural representations, others argue that these portrayals lack depth and authenticity. The film has been described as a marketing vehicle for Kerala tourism by some reviewers. Meanwhile, the landscape of Indian entertainment is shifting, with regional films gaining popularity and Bollywood struggling for hits in a changing market.
Experts note that when portraying a community, including authentic voices is crucial to avoid skewed representations. This raises questions about the balance between artistic freedom and responsible storytelling in diverse cultural contexts.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gveer8wgro?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss