8 Stereotypical Bollywood Characters That Need To Be Retired
Niharika has a passion for all things art, music, and travel and has over 4 years of experience in writing for social media. During her spare time, she likes experimenting in the kitchen, playing vide... read full bio
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One of the most infuriating things about Bollywood films is that they are riddled with stereotypical characters who have nothing unique about them. While there are plenty of exciting and more progressive films out there, most big-budget Bollywood films are filled with these kinds of stereotypes. The worst part is that despite receiving so much flak and disgust from plenty of fans, some of these stereotypes continue today. We guarantee that no matter where you come from in this country, there will be a Bollywood stereotype that targets you. Whether you are a city kid from Mumbai or someone from a small town in Kerala, Bollywood will find a way to create a negative stereotype about you. So here is a list of eight stereotypes we are really tired of seeing in Bollywood films:
1. The Drunk Goan Who Is Always Laid Back
Let’s get one thing straight, not every Goan is laid back and “sussegad”. Just because Goa has earned the reputation of being a party hub doesn’t mean that everyone who lives there parties 24/7. Since drinking has been a part of Goan culture for hundreds of years, most Goans know how to handle their drink. In Goa, it is considered rude to be seen drunk in polite company, public, or family members.
2. The Teacher Who Is More Invested In Students Lives Than Teaching
A teacher’s job is to teach you and help you grow into a good individual, not get so invested in your life that they forget their actual job. It’s so strange how Bollywood films stereotype teachers to be so invested in their students’ lives when the reality is that most of them just do their jobs and go home (like regular working folks do). Moreso, why are the teachers in Bollywood films only interested in the protagonist’s lives and nobody else?
3. The “Modern Woman” Who Is Mistreated Because She Sleeps Around
Whether it is Priyanka Chopra in Aitraaz or Deepika Padukone in Cocktail, modern and career-oriented women are always demonized in Bollywood. How can a woman ever expect the same treatment as a glorious Indian man, right (heavy sarcasm)? Of course, we deserve to be beaten, cheated on, treated poorly, and slut-shamed because we dare to step out of societal norms. More so, why are men lauded for sleeping around and being career-oriented, but women are judged? If a woman enjoys getting intimate with multiple men and isn’t hurting anybody in the process, it is nobody’s business but her own.
4. The Cop Who Takes Pride In Beating People To A Pulp
A cop’s duty isn’t to beat up suspected criminals to a pulp. Their job is to arrest the person and reprimand them. It’s sad how Bollywood likes to glorify abusive cops and make it seem like this is the norm. No wonder people are so scared of the police in our country!
5. The Punjabi Person Who Only Speaks In Punjabi Or Says “Balle Balle”
Expecting a Punjabi person to only say “balle balle” is like expecting a Goan guy to only speak about alcohol or a Tamilian person to only talk about sambhar. Many Bollywood films like to hire non-Punjabi actors, place them in a turban and give them politically incorrect dialogues or mock their intelligence.
6. The Creepy Guy Who Serenades The Heroine With Weird Songs
BOLLYWOOD NEEDS TO STOP GLORIFYING STALKING. If you’re wondering why we wrote that in caps, then let us explain. It’s honestly pathetic that Bollywood movies feature heroes who follow, harass, tease, and coerce the heroine into returning their affections. The kind of message such movies and characters send to people is just disturbing! It’s ridiculous that something that is a crime (yes, stalking is a crime) is being showcased as romantic and memorable. It really is not!
7. The Hacker Who Is Impossibly Fast At Cracking Into National Security Systems
Hacking into advanced security systems is no easy feat and probably takes hours, if not days or more. It’s ridiculous that Bollywood films feature hackers who seem so fast that the company they are hacking should probably hire them. Plus, hackers in Bollywood are often pushed into a supporting role and only exist to further the plotline.
8. The Gay Man Who Only Exists To Hit On Straight Men And Make Them Uncomfortable
Firstly, not every gay man is interested in hitting on people who are not interested in them. It’s unfortunate how Bollywood puts negative stereotypes on people who are already hated and judged for who they choose to love. As it is, India has a long way to go when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights, and on top of that, filmmakers just make it worse for them.
In the end, the only way to get rid of most of these stereotypes is to speak up against them and point them out. Only when the general audience stands up and tells these filmmakers and screenwriters that we are done with their silly stereotypes will they stop creating such characters. Do let us know which of these stereotypical characters infuriates you the most in the comments section below!
