114. Titto Vargese

Abstract 114

Titto Varghese

Reactions Are More Powerful than Actions-
Visual grammar of telling story through the lens of feminism

A Critical Study on Bandit Queen

Abstract

“Valor is not for Woman” - Aristotle

“Defrauding is the Nature of Women” - Manu

Based on this concept Filmmaker Shekar Kapoor has made his screenplay about Phoolan Devi’s story-Bandit Queen. Ironically the whole film has treated her as a timid beggar.

Generally in Indian commercial fictional films women are sexually exploited for making business, especially in dream song sequences and romantic sequences. Somehow the opportunity is created to exploit the women’s nudity. I would like to analyze the film Bandit Queen based on Aristotle’s thought about valor is not for women and Manu’s code on battering women folks. Animals, drum, illiterate, low caste and women are meant to be beaten-Manu Dharmam.

In the name of reality, the filma Bandit Queen instead of revealing her as Bandit Queen, exposed as any normal women. And scenes are vulgarly shown in the name of reality. But the Filmmaker has not learnt one of the most important grammer of filmmaking that is film is also a reaction medium, which means that, it is not necessary to show all the actions. Actions which could not be shown could be shown through the reaction. Sex exploitation has been made about a real person to create sensation among the spectator to make business.