An essay I wrote that takes a look at disability in Indian cinema

A still image from ‘Margarita with a Straw (2014)’

Representation in the media, whether it's through film or tv, is important to people. People from all walks of life earn to see their stories told on screen. To see someone on screen who goes through similar experiences or share their identity can be a fulfilling experience for people. Portrayals of minorities not only affect how others view them, but it affects how they see themselves. That's the impact representation has on people. Disabled people who are considered a social minority group face many architectural, occupational, educational, and communication barriers that keep them from fully participating within society. Representation in the media helps them challenge those barriers by showing a world where they see characters like themselves go through exciting situations and have proactive yet complicated lives. The primary exposure to disability for most able-bodied people is through the media and its portrayal of the disabled. For able-bodied people who are not directly involved with a disabled person, the media can unknowingly mold and form their perceptions of disability. The depiction of disability throughout cinema across the world has been less than perfect, to say the least. It is acknowledged the media's, precisely the film industry's, approach to portraying disabled people on screen has evolved and has gotten better over time even though it still has a long way to go.

Bollywood, an Indian Hindi-language film industry, is one of the world's largest film industries and has released many films that depict disabled people. Though it still makes the same mistakes as Hollywood, such as enforcing negative stereotypes about disabled people and not hiring enough disabled actors, Bollywood has produced some memorable films about disability. In recent years, Bollywood has tried to approach the subject of disability with the right measure of sensitivity and compassion. Before, Bollywood used to release movies that portrayed disability in a stereotypical manner or for comic relief. Today, Indian films that represent disability often have a purpose behind them, which is to change people's ideas and attitudes towards the disabled. Some films about disability in Bollywood are about a disabled protagonist's inspirational journey and them overcoming obstacles that are placed by society. In contrast, other films have resorted to using harmful or common stereotypes about disabled people. There have been quite a number of mainstream films that were recently released that depicted a range of conditions and encouraged a serious conversation around them amongst audiences like the film Paa (2009) that touched upon a rare genetic disorder called Progeria and Asperger's syndrome in the film My Name is Khan (2010).

One of the earliest films about disability in Bollywood is Koshish (1972), and it portrays the struggles a deaf and mute couple faces. The translation of the film's title is effort as it follows how the couple moves on from a tragedy. The film stars Sanjeev Kumar and Jaya Bhaduri, who play Hari Mathur and Aarti Mathur. Koshish, directed by Gulzar, begins with sign language alphabets shown during its opening credits, to show inclusivity towards deaf and hard of hearing people. The film revolves around Hari and Aarti, and it depicts Hari and Aarti's efforts to be accepted in a biased and desensitized society. While the film does a decent job of portraying the couple's determination to live despite everything that has happened to them, it also shows that not everything is ideal. Throughout the film, Hari and Aarti endure several hardships that come their way, such as being taken advantage of by people and losing their first child. Their ability to lead an independent life is constantly threatened by society and the people around them. The film continuously shows the couple being dealt with a bad hand in life as they find themselves in tragic situations. It can be argued that the film relies on negative stereotypes about deaf people being "punished" for their disability or stuck in situations that are considered pitiful. The scene surrounding the death of their first child is an example of the film using a negative stereotype about deaf people. The death happens when Hari's brother breaks into the couple's house and steals from them while leaving the door open. The son leaves the house to go outside, where it's raining heavily, and the couple does not hear the child's cries as he drowns in flood. The scene uses one of the most common stereotypes about disabled people being the victim. The film characterizes Hari and Aarti as good-natured people who just happen to be unfortunate.

While it is apparent that the film has relied on stereotypes, the sensitivity around the main characters' disability throughout the rest of the film makes one wonder if that is the case. It seems more of bitter reality. The film tries to presents itself as a true depiction of the life of the hard of hearing. In an interview with The Hindu from 2004, the film's director Gulzar stated that the film was meant to expose how deaf people were often treated in society. "The film revolves around the theme of creating a special and separate world for the disabled, an idea which appeared to me to be very reactionary. From that time onward, I wanted to prove that the disabled are part and parcel of society." Through this film, it is evident that the filmmaker wanted to show his audience how disabled people were viewed by society and wanted to make a difference.

Films such as Black (2005) and Lafangey Parindey (2010) focus on their blind protagonists and how they overcome whatever obstacles that stand in their way from achieving their dreams or ambitions. Directed by Sanjay Lee Bhansali, the film Black revolves around a blind and deaf girl who forms a platonic and meaningful relationship with her teacher. Black was inspired by Hellen Keller's life, a known American blind and deaf author and activist. The film Lafangey Parindey is about a blind aspiring skater who learns to get back into the rink with the help of an MMA fighter who she later falls in with. Both films are centered around a female protagonist who learns how to adjust to their disability. The main protagonist in Black is Michelle McNally, who is blind and deaf, essentially make it hard for her to adapt to things around her, which leads her to become isolated from society. The film begins with Michelle's flashbacks as a child, which show her becoming frustrated towards her parents. The flashbacks show her grow as an uncontrollable and wild child as she cannot communicate with others because of her disability. Her parents almost sent her to an asylum out of fear; she will harm her younger sister. They hire an eccentric teacher named Debraj to teach Michelle to help her express herself better to others. The rest of the film shows the bond between Debraj and Michelle growing as he helps her become a smart, independent woman.

A still image from Black (2005)

The film Black perfectly conveys that disabled people also deserve to have the opportunities as able-bodied people. The character Michelle demonstrates that disabled people can excel at academics and not have their disability interfere with their lives, contrary to popular belief. One scene from the film reveals Michelle's father arguing with Debraj over his strict teaching methods. He tells Debraj to stop disciplining Michelle as he believes it's not right for a teacher to be hard on a disabled student. In response, Debraj defends himself by saying, "Michelle is not disabled," implying that he doesn't see his student as "special" or will never treat her as such. This particular scene discloses the nature of Debraj's and Michelle's relationship. Debraj thinks of Michelle as just a kid who deserves to be scolded if they did something like any other kid does. Another scene in the film showcases Michelle's desire and passion for studying academia despite what society thinks of her. Many years later, the scene takes place when Michelle has grown into a more confident and expressive woman who can express herself as he is an expert in sign language. The scene starts when she goes into an interview at a university for admission and is asked questions by interviewers who don't believe she can pursue a degree because of her disability. One of the interviewers asks her straightforwardly why does she want to study. Her reply is, "I want to study and learn so that I may live with dignity with independence and to be alive," which undoubtedly displays her determination to attend school. After that interview, she soon gets admission with Debraj's help and pursues a bachelor's degree, becoming the first blind-deaf person to do so at her university. The film title was named black for a reason as the film is about Debraj inspiring Michelle to remove from herself darkness and isolation into the light and hope to discover her identity and learn that she is a person rather than someone inferior with a disability.

Lafangey Parindey is a love story at its core but is also about a blind woman who lost her will to chase her dreams but, along the way, discovers it again. The film's protagonist Pinky used to be a skilled skater who got into an accident that rendered her permanently blind. The film directed by Pradeep Sarkar follows Pinkey as she crosses paths with an MMA fighter named Nandu, who is later revealed to be the one who caused the car accident that made her blind. Nandu helps Pinkey in turning her dream into a reality as he agrees to be her skating partner to win the competition. Though the film is based on a cliche-ridden plot, its protagonist Pinky's character development is endearing to watch for the audience. The film chooses to go on the inspirational yet predictable route to portray Pinky's journey to success. There is usually a montage of the main character working out to transform themselves into an athlete to win an event or competition in all sports movies. This is the case for this film as Pinky, with Nandu and her friends' help, tries different tactics to ease her into her the sport, such as using her other sense of sound to navigate her surroundings. Lafangey Parindey acts as an uplifting sports film that includes a disability character at its forefront with a supposed positive message. The film's positive message is that people with physical disabilities can also carry out jobs such as being an athlete. Often, there isn't enough character with disabilities that are athletes or play sports professionally on the media. Still, this film does a decent job of being more inclusive in that aspect.

Another film called Taare Zameen Par (2007), which is translated to Like Star on Earth, brings attention to learning disabilities, specifically dyslexia, and comments on the lack of inclusivity for people suffering from those conditions within the Indian school system. The film directed by Aamir Khan depicts an 8-year-old boy named Ishaan, who seems to have a difficult time at school as he fails every subject. The film begins by showing Ishaan being constantly berated and scolded by his teachers and parents as they seem to think he is slacking off on his studies when he is actually dyslexic. His learning disability is discovered when a new art teacher named Ram spots him having a hard time coping with school and gives him a helping hand. The film raises awareness around the issue of dyslexia and learning disabilities and encourages more open discussions about kids being diagnosed with them. Ishaan's dyslexia is taken a closer look over the course of the film as there is a scene of him where he struggles to read because the words seem jumbled to him. As he faces difficulty with his studies, art becomes a means of his escape, and the film spends quite a lot towards his inclination towards the subject despite his parent's and teachers' disapproval. His interest in art points out the conformation within society, particularly the education system in India. It calls society and the Indian education system into question why creativity is not valued like knowledge and intelligence.

The film showcases the struggles people who have learning disabilities regularly face in dealing with day-to-day life problems, starting from tying shoelaces to learning what's taught in a classroom. It also takes into account the problems teachers come across, such as learning how to accommodate children with special needs and how to make sure they have an equal learning experience just like other kids and don't miss out on anything. The film also tries to disclose the psychology behind the non-acceptance of children with learning disabilities in society by their parents, teachers, friends, and all others. Most importantly, it revolves around a message that special needs children need training, care, love, and attention from the people around them to succeed in their lives.

Margarita with a Straw (2014), directed by Shonali Bose, explores sexuality from a disabled person's perspective and their journey to feel secure of their sexual identity. The film tells Laila's coming-of-age story, a young woman with cerebral palsy, who moves to New York, where she discovers more about herself. Today, disabled sexuality is stigmatized, that disabled people are usually desexualized in media. The depiction of actual sex, let alone queer sex, amongst disabled people is rare and revolutionary in both Bollywood or Hollywood films. The character Laila in this film, however, challenges most stereotypes regarding disabled people's sexuality. Like any able- bodied person, she has her own sexual urges and feelings to explore. There are scenes of her frequently masturbating to porn, having a crush on a classmate, initiating a one-night stand with a friend, and so on. The film shows Laila taking charge of her sexual desires and acting upon them. When she likes a person, she takes charge of getting the opportunity to connect with them and flirt. The film makes an effort to realistically portray a disabled character as it shows her discovering her sexuality and exploring it even further.

The intersectionality between queerness and disability is also showcased within the film as Laila learns more about her sexual identity as a bisexual. The film portrays an intimate relationship between two disabled women, something rarely seen in media, especially in Bollywood. Laila's relationship with a blind woman named Khamum is one of the most significant parts of the film as it leads her to become more familiar with her queerness. Laila meets Khamum at a protest against the police in New York. Both women befriend each other and instantly become close. Laila starts to get attracted to Khamum and develops feelings for her as they spend more time together. Through her initial friendship with Khamum, Laila discovers she is capable of having feelings of romantic nature towards someone of the same sex as her. Soon afterward, the two begin a relationship. Their relationship is a positive on-screen representation of a queer relationship between two disabled people. However, their relationship has also revealed the rigid heterosexual, patriarchal society in India. In one scene in the film, Laila asks her girlfriend about when she realized she was gay. "When did you realize you are gay? I mean, you have a perfect body, and you could easily become a mother." In this specific scene, Laila reveals her own ambivalent views shaped by the ableist discourse in the society that thinks a woman with a more apparent physical disability simply cannot be a "good wife" or a "good mother." It is also apparent she is not happy inside her own body as she negatively appraises it. Laila also somehow believes that she can be queer since she has an imperfect body and hence cannot bear children, while Khanum cannot because she has a perfect body capable enough to give birth. The film highlights the sexuality of disabled individuals, but it explores queer identity, which is also often ignored in Indian cinema.

Guzaarish (2010) is a controversial film because of its use of harmful context about disabled people who have mental illness and its handling of the topic of euthanasia. The film, directed by Sanjay Lee Bhansali, the same director who directed Black, is about a person with quadriplegia who files a petition for euthanasia to end his own life. The film revolves around Ethan's struggle to request permission from the Court to receive euthanasia after an accident fourteen years ago left him as a person with quadriplegia and ended his career as a magician. While the film received mainly positive reviews from critics, some people still deemed it problematic over the main character's decision to pursue euthanasia to allow him to end his life. The film demonstrates that suicidal tendencies among the disabled are considered rational, and even noble, responses to their condition. The film dismisses the idea that disabled people can get help and receive treatment for their mental health. It reinforces the idea that for most disabled people, their disability can be regarded as a valid reason to not stay alive. The film makes full use of one of the most common stereotypes about people with disabilities being a victim and an object of pity or sympathy. In the last 14 years, Ethan has achieved a lot and has done well as a person with quadriplegia. The film's beginning reveals he wrote a popular book and went on tour to promote it, and he's a popular radio jockey, gives a lecture to other quadriplegics like him, and lives in a big mansion with people who look out for him. Even though Ethan has a seemingly good life, he still wants to end it. When Ethan is asked why he wants to desperately end his life at one point in the film, his answer discloses his mental exhaustion from years of living with his disability. "I've conquered my life. I've lived the last 14 years with great pride. But now, I don't want to live at the mercy of these machines." The film depicts Ethan's disability as something akin to a trap that keeps him restrained inside his own body as he cannot move from the neck down.

The topic of euthanasia is greatly discussed in this film as it addresses its issue within Indian culture and society. Euthanasia was illegal during the time this film had released. The practice became legal in 2018. However, the Court ruled that only passive euthanasia was allowed as patients must consent by using living will and must be terminally or in a vegetative state. Since the start of the film, Ethan files an appeal to undergo euthanasia. When the Court refuses to review his appeal, Ethan is advised to gain public support through a radio show he hosts. The plan works successfully, and Ethan's case gains public attention, which persuades the Court to reconsider. Throughout the film, Ethan asks the public to share their opinion and vote on his mercy killing decision through a project on his radio show called "Project Euthanasia." The response has mostly negative from the public, while there are a few people who support him. After the Court reviews his case and listens to Ethan's and his close family and friends' opinions, they refuse to grant him approval due to the religious and illegality of mercy killing in India. Both sides of the argument behind the idea of mercy killing were offered, but the film is mainly characterized as pro- euthanasia. The film takes the stance of pro-euthanasia because it follows Ethan's fight for his plea to die. As the film progresses, some characters like Sofia, his love interest and caretaker, Ethan's mother, lawyer, and doctor change their position and gradually begin to support Ethan's position. However, the prosecutor, Court, and public opinion shown in the film reveal the arguments from the opposite side and are vehemently against one ending their own life legally. The film has helped assist conversation around the concept of mercy killing, especially towards a disabled person, and has shown both sides of the argument.

Indian cinema is slowly progressing and is making more films that are centered around disabled stories. Several recent films have portrayed disability very sensitively and significantly impacted the disability movement in the country. However, some movies have presented disability in a harmful conventional manner or stereotypical light. Bollywood is becoming more inclusive towards disability, amongst other topics such as queerness but ultimately still has a lot left to improve.