It IS a Man’s world
With all humility, I have always
considered myself to be well read, open minded and progressive. I belong to the
class of today’s men who opens a door for a lady, lifts a bag, drops her home,
listens to her and understands the fact that she has a thinking mind of her own
and aspirations and dreams that belong to her. In spite of all this, many a
time I used to wonder as to why there is such angst among some women. I failed
to understand what ticked them off at times. In my mind, in many situations, they were
unnecessarily overreacting wherein they can just choose to be happy.
All this changed when I saw this stupendous
video series titled ‘Man’s World’ directed by Mr. Vikram Gupta on Y Films
banner. The perspective that these videos lend is sheer brilliance. I so love
the fact that it is directed by a man for it were directed by a woman, it would
have reinforced the stereotype yet again.
In Season 1, Episode 3, at the
breakfast table, the lady blames the guys for getting raped. This is the best
rebuttal I have seen so far for the “The girl should have taken care” argument.
How can I not appreciate the ACP Adhyumna running in the background and Diya.
One shouldn’t miss the sister in boxers proclaiming “the guy is getting out of
hand”. I think it is these little nuances that lends these videos so much of
perspective. The women trying to pick up the young guys is so confusing, for
want of not finding a more apt word. Look at the police officer watching MMS.
And the mms, now we understand what objectification means! Now the scene where
the guy thinks it is a bad dream and sits at the dining table. For a moment, I
thought did the director lose the plot? Where is this video going? And comes
the burned Pakode! No more explanation needed.
In Season 1, Episode 4, the beginning
scene where it is a ‘let’s see the guy’ moment, look at the way the girl’s
father is sitting – docile, silent and absolutely no opinion at all. The way
the girl who has come to see the guy is portrayed is also perfect. The concept
of marital rape is so under debated that at least some of us will fail to understand
it. After marriage, how the girl gets tied up with the chores is so well
portrayed. Later on, the moment where the girl asks the guy for tea is so every
day in our households. The scene where the doctor comes out and says it is a
boy is so different that it took me a while to understand the dynamics of it.
Successive episodes discuss gender
equality in a very objective manner. It talks about how years of conditioning
has blinded all of us towards thinking women are expected to do certain tasks
and adhere to certain norms. It has been followed for so many generations that
even to start thinking that these things should change is a very difficult
first step. I think these videos will make us want to start thinking in that direction
and that is Vikram Gupta’s and Y films’ success.
Arun babu
Great thought. I agree! Our society should do something on gender equality!
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