Dia Mirza: Female characters in mainstream cinema mostly 'mute'

New Delhi, Sep 13 Actor and environmentalist Dia Mirza feels we need to rethink the way we treat our women and female characters in films.Talking to life, she pointed out that while direct objectification in lyrics and item songs may be diminishing, we still have a long way to go.

"This is not a recent phenomenon at all. The 80's, 90's and early 2000's are marked by a language in cinema that is sexist, misogynistic and objectifies women. If anything, over the last 5 years there has been a growing awareness/consciousness of this. Because while direct objectification vis-a-vis language used in lyrics, 'item' songs and vocabulary of characters may be lessening we still have a long way to go," Dia told life.

Emphasising, "An observation that I read recently points to the fact that female characters in mainstream Hindi cinema are mostly 'mute'. A major film released last year accounts for only 8 minutes of talking time for women in the first 53 minutes of the film's run time. Until we start building a better balance in our mindsets, narratives will be unable to bring gender balance and respect for roles of women in Indian cinema."

The United Nations Environment Program

( With inputs from IANS )

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