Volume-XII, Issue-II, March 2026 |
নারীর স্বতন্ত্র স্বরূপ সন্ধান: বাংলাদেশ ও আসামী চলচ্চিত্রে নারী চরিত্রের ধারা ও বিবর্তন এবং নারী নির্মাতাদের ভূমিকা দীপান্বিতা ইতি, গবেষক, নৃতত্ত্ব বিভাগ, গুয়াহাটি বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়, আসাম, ভারত |
Received: 15.02.2026 | Accepted: 09.03.2026 | Published Online: 31.03.2026 | Page No: | ||||
DOI: 10.29032/ijhsss.vol.12.issue.02W. | |||||||
In Search of Women’s Identity: Trends and Evolution of Female Characters and the Role of Women Filmmakers in Bangladeshi and Assamese Cinema Dipanbita Iety, Research Scholar, Department of Anthropology, Gauhati University, Assam, India | ||
ABSTRACT | ||
This article explores the trends and evolution of female character representation in Bangladeshi and Assamese cinema, with particular emphasis on the role of women filmmakers in reshaping cinematic narratives. Situated within the patriarchal socio-cultural framework of South Asia, early cinematic portrayals of women in both regions were largely dominated by male-centric perspectives, confining female characters to sacrificial, domestic, and silent roles. Drawing on feminist film theory, postcolonial studies, and gender politics, this study conducts a qualitative textual analysis of selected films across different periodical phases to examine shifts in representation. The article argues that the getting involved of women filmmakers- as directors, screenwriters, and producers- have significantly transformed the language, themes, and construction of female characters. Contemporary films increasingly depict women as autonomous individuals, active decision-makers, and agents engaging with social and political realities. While Bangladeshi women filmmakers foreground personal struggles, class and gender inequalities, and crises of identity through realist storytelling, Assamese women filmmakers link female experiences to regional identity, ethnic politics, and collective resistance. Despite regional distinctions, both cinematic traditions reveal shared concerns regarding women’s agency, resilience, and subjectivity. The study concludes that women filmmakers have played a crucial role in challenging patriarchal narratives and strengthening multidimensional, humanized representations of women on screen. This evolution reflects not only artistic progression but also broader shifts in women’s visibility and voice in society, contributing meaningfully to gender-focused discourse in South Asian film studies. | ||
Keywords: Women filmmakers; Female representation; Bangladeshi cinema; Assamese cinema; Feminist film theory |