THE RISE OF ACTION GENRE – INDIAN ACTRESSES
The gradual
progress of female action-oriented movies in Indian cinema started in late 80’s.
The fundamental problem about the popularity and acceptance of heroine lead
action movies in 80’s, continues to arise even at present, it is understandable
with limited and prejudiced perception of audience about women in the dominant
action roles, curtailed by the significant consideration extended to leading
actors, with super heroes status, maintaining typical action formula. The quality
of action-oriented film with inherent challenge requires natural talent with
plausible personality and character. But it is only a decade since we are
witnessing long delayed female action movies in modern times. At present, there
are few female actresses, with merit, grit and determination to portray heroic
roles and deserve ample opportunities to act in supreme performance action-centric
movies.
The debut of
female ‘action act’ in Indian cinema was in 1935. Mary Ann Evan better known as
Nadia, a blue eyed Indian beauty of
Australian origin, an original stunt woman with combative role, performed tricky
stunts in a blockbuster movie, Hunterwali, directed by Homi Wadia, became
exceptionally famous with dynamic roles, popularly known as ‘fearless Nadia’,
captivated the audience with well-known dialogue of the movie, “Aajse main
Hunterwali hoon” (“from today, I am the woman with the whip”).
Nadia a
leading actress, showcasing characteristics of a superwoman, performed own
stunts in the movies and reigned Indian Film Industry in 40’s. In the same
period there were some other action films, Cyclewali, Chabukwali, Motorwali, and
Jhansi Ki Rani, a historical movie, though not successful, directed by Sohrab
Modi, was a female led action movie.
The sequel Hunterwali
Ki Beti with Nadia in 1943 also became a highly successful movie. The
popularity of Nadia as a stunt woman in number of movies skyrocketed and she
became an inspirational figure among masses. In 1993, an award-winning documentary
by Riyad Vinci Wadia, ‘Fearless: The Hunterwali Story’ about Nadia’s life,
exhibited at more than 50 International film festivals, was also written about in
Time magazine. Decades later, in 2017, Kangana Ranaut characterized the role of
action heroine Nadia in ‘Rangoon’ a film directed by Vishal Bhardwaj.
In the early
60’s, Bombay Cinema’s action movies were characterized by Mumtaz as stunt heroine along with Dara Singh in
movies such as Boxer, Hercules, Samson, Faulad, Tarzan comes to Delhi and few more.
In the 60’s
and well into 70’s, the action plot in Hindi movies was limited to few docile
action scenes before the ‘happy ending’ and victory of the hero. They had same
quality of boxing with lot of ‘dishooms’, hero fighting the villain and his
henchmen, saving the leading lady before the ending. Mid - 70’s saw the emergence
of ‘‘an angry young man” as a lead character, though originally it was for
Amitabh Bachchan but Vinod Khanna, Shatrughan and few more followed, transforming
mild action to advanced action techniques with
explosives, speedy car chases, explicit killings and gore, suddenly, ‘vengeance’
was the central theme but typically only for male protagonists.
In 70’s, top
actresses were doing romantic, comedy or action movies, as devoted spouses, girlfriends,
mostly supporting the hero, but for few actresses some action was assigned to high-pitched aggressive dialogue delivery, to intensify and stimulate the
drama. Hema Malini had scant action scenes in Seeta Aur Geeta, was appreciated
more as rebellious Geeta with limited emphasis on physical aggression, often
defining similar heroine action and domineering characters in 70’s era.
‘Bond 303’,
80’s action thriller, besides the hero, also had Parveen Babi enacting acrobatic
action with gun and fighting goons, the only movie in that period in which the
lead actress did an action role. In late 80’s, Dimple Kapadia starred in ‘Zakhmi
Aurat’, an action film which marked the onset of female vengeance and fierce
physicality. But such extreme female revenge dramas didn’t start a trend,
however few of them with good plot and script did succeed at that time and
thereafter. ‘Khoon Bhari Maang’ was one such revenge drama which was critical
and commercial success, the audience appreciated Rekha’s towering performance
as a revengeful protagonist, winning awards and accolades, also laid another
brick in the Indian feminist awareness in modern society.
Rekha in ‘Phool
Bane Angaray’ and ‘Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi’ portrayed dominant female characters
with elan, sophistication and brilliance hereto only showcased for heroes.
‘Bandit Queen’ a Shekhar Kapoor directorial venture with Seema Biswas as
Phoolan Devi, a true story based on the life of the notorious dacoit, won the
National Film Award and numerous National and International Awards.
The production
of female action films was overlooked in the mainstream cinema till recently, but
for few releases every now and then, however this lethargic inertia is slowly
disappearing, maybe also due to the popular strong feminine centric TV
productions and to sustain and invigorate the shaky momentum of action roles,
all aspects of female characters are empowered rather than being hapless. In contemporary
society, the present generation is getting accustomed to female oriented action
characters, noticeable as protagonist, the actresses can carry an action role with
ease and have redefined the notion of feminism.
The portrayal of heroines in
romance, comedy and action films is deeply rooted in public psyche but it needs
to imbibe the modern feminism and empowerment, rejuvenate the respect and
regard accorded to women in Indian mythology. The boundless energy that has
been expressed through action by female actors is being acknowledged by society.
The new woman
in Indian cinema is a cop, a successful business head, an athlete, antagonist,
historical legend and much more. Priyanka Chopra has been widely acknowledged for
her steely performance in ‘Jai Gangaajal’ and similar police officer roles have
been adroitly enacted by Rani Mukerji and Tabu. Priyanka Chopra in ‘Mary Kom’,
a compelling and vigorous performance, with credibility and proficiency, she
performed the action scenes with steel and verve. ‘Dangal’, a movie based on
Phogat family, their emergence from societal taboo of girls in wrestling, with
brilliant performances by all the lead cast, was hugely successful in India and
China. Taapsee Pannu in ‘Naam Shabana’, strengthens her character with ‘kudo’
and exceptional performance.
Recently released ‘Manikarnika’, Kangana
Ranaut enthralled with boundless talent and the action was augmented by her inspirational
persona in historical epic. In Hollywood, Gal Gadot, a strong female warrior in
‘Wonder Woman’, a trendsetter and record-breaking film, has definitely impacted
Indian audience but we often speculate when such movies will be produced in India.
The new
classification of heroism by actresses has changed the flavor and the facet of
cinema in India. The action-oriented movies are long overdue for actresses as
the energy manifested through gallantry, impact the women in modern society.
We shall see
the amelioration of action genre and the female performers will celebrate the trend
with escalated pride ,which has slowly evolved and will strengthen the female actors funnelling confidence ,self-reliance and determination among women in the
country.
Anuradha
Singh
12th
August, 2019a.singhlink@gmail.com
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Anuradha Singh
(2019).THE RISE OF ACTION GENRE – INDIAN ACTRESSES https://asingh2019.blogspot.com/2019/08/the-rise-of-action-genre-indian.html?m=1
Anuradha Singh (2019).
PRIYANKA CHOPRA - A MULTIFACETED POWERHOUSE https://asingh2019.blogspot.com/2019/02/priyanka-chopra-multifaceted-powerhouse.html?m=1
Anuradha Singh (2019)
.REKHA – A DIVINE DIVA https://asingh2019.blogspot.com/2019/01/rekha-divine-diva.html?m=1
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