Within Indian patriarchal family structures, the preference for male children has contributed to the loss of girl children, both before and after birth. This phenomenon, rooted in cultural norms such as inheritance practices, continues to shape gender dynamics, reflected in the skewed sex ratio in South Asia. With the rise of the women's movement and discourses on gender justice and human rights, reproductive rights and the right to life have gained prominence in contemporary India and found cinematic expression since the 1990s. This study examines the theme of 'son preference' through post-1990s alternative Indian cinema, using a dual lens of representation—political and artistic. Drawing on feminist theory, it explores how socially committed filmmakers portray gender rights while also revealing underlying patriarchal traces. Some of the selected films include Father, Son and Holy War (1994), Mrityudand (1996), Hari-Bhari (2000), Lajja (2002), Matrubhoomi: A Nation Without Women (2005) and Tommidinelaly (2011).

Authors:
Manjula Venkataraghavan, Manipal Institute of Communication-MAHE, India
Debjani Halder, Manipal Institute of Communication-MAHE, India

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Manjula Venkataraghavan is an Associate Professor and Head of PG Diploma Programs at the Manipal Institute of Communication, MAHE, Karnataka, India.

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/manjula-venkataraghavan-ph-d-she-her-b376b55/

See this presentation on the full schedule – Wednesday Schedule

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