S: From 'Wonder Woman' to 'Black Widow', Hollywood seems to be getting the 'superheroine' formula right these days. Which makes me wonder, why we never had a 'desi' counterpart to them?
Sure, we've had many male superheroes. You've got your 'Krishh' (I've messed up the 'r's and the 'h'-es haven't I?), you've got your 'Chhota Bheem' for the kiddos. Even way back in the DD era you had 'Shaktiman' and 'Mr. India'.
Fact checking myself - a quick google search tells me that there was someone called 'Shakti' and 'Devi' based on mythological characters. Well, I don't quite know whether they count or not. First of all - I'd never heard of them - and yes it may be my own fault for being culturally lacking. Neither had my kid or her friends. (Btw, had you heard of them? Has anyone...) So until I see their miniature toys, a bobblehead or something...
And second of all, we can't keep relying only on mythology to provide us with inspiration.
Sure, even in those times we had some really strong, fierce and amazing Goddesses! I mean, riding a Lion - come on!
But nobody since. The likeliest candidate who comes to mind is 'Nagina'. And she wasn't even a real superhero. Yes, Sridevi made her pretty iconic and everything. But she wasn't there to right any wrongs (except her own) or save the world or anything, was she?
Sigh.
Where did we go wrong, R?
R: S, don't even get me started on where we have gone wrong as far as women are concerned! And hoping to stick to the issue on the table; well the 'West' has had at least two or three generations of truly independent women, at least relative to India.
Girls did not lose out on education because of their gender.
Women were and are well protected by the law in case of abuse or divorce or both!
Women still might be primary caretakers as far as kids are concerned but there is a stark difference in what men contribute towards the household, comparing India to the West.
Women can choose careers over marriage if they wanted too, and none of the apparently 'well-wishing' aunts would sneer and mock - Well probably because the aunts had the same choices too!
Movies are reflective of the society, and India it still not there yet to see female super heroines.
We are still at that stage where we have movies where we talk about and appreciate movies which have women fighting for their basic rights.
For e.g. in Piku we saw a modern times woman who chose being with her father over marriage. A father who was pretty comfortable with his daughter having relationships outside marriage.
That is what 'Indian modern' looks like.
Or the protagonist in 'Thappad' who decides to file divorce from an otherwise 'functional marriage' because her husband had slapped her in a party.
And of course, the family did not think the singular act was worthy of divorce and did not support her decision.
Because she stood for the divorce against all odds, she becomes our super heroine.
When women still have such hurdles to cross, the thought of a female character which could pull off a Ra.One or a Bahubali, well probably never crossed the minds of our film makers.
And suppose they did try to create a female super hero, are we ready to accept one?
S: Short answer yes.
Girls are ready to have a GIRL superhero! Someone they can identify with. Someone with their own ethnicity.
Yes, as a society we do have a lot of catching up to do. A lot! But that doesn't mean our next generations shouldn't get a head start! TV, movies...they are just the right medium for this. They reach all levels of society, and influence people like nothing else.
Take 'Skater girl' for example. It is the perfect eye-opener for a lot of girls who would've been otherwise skeptical of taking up a sport like skateboarding. And to think the story has realistic roots as well...
As I type this, my daughter is busy with her own game. She is 'PowerMana' - a play on her own nickname - a superhero with a (stuffed) puppy sidekick who is unstoppable as she takes on all kinds of imaginary foes from mean bullies to invading aliens.
All kids need to believe - girls especially - that they can fight off 'the bad guys' on their own, rather than waiting for someone to save them. Having that belief is half the battle won.
I think the time is nigh. For us to get our own female super hero.
I (and PowerMana) cannot wait!
