Individual Assignment
Media & Gender
Comparing the portrayal of masculinity and femininity in the characters (Sivagami,
Kattappa, Devasena, Avantika, Amarendra and Mahendra Baahubali) in the Baahubali
film series
BY: NANDINI SETHI
Table of Contents:
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A detailed account of each character’s portrayal
How these characters contribute to the movies’ message
Comparison of gender roles between the first and second movie
How Baahubali movies and media can influence societal norms and expectations
A detailed account of each character’s portrayal
Baahubali movie showcases a host of different and powerful characters, each trying to tell
their own story. Let us begin the analysis with Mahendra Baahubali and Avantika.
Mahendra Baahubali was shown as physically strong since childhood. The first scene showed
Baahubali trying to climb a mountain as a child showcasing his strength and determination.
In sharp contrast, the female protagonist, Avantika is shown on the same hill but scantily
dressed and dancing. Avantika’s introduction with a love song portrays the male gaze as it
draws attention away from her personality and towards her body. Her perfect body
shape emphasised in the movie, sets unrealistic standards for other young women.
As the movie progresses, we see that Avantika is a fierce warrior and a skilled archer. This
makes the introduction even more problematic as these characteristics should have been
highlighted right in the beginning, like it was done for Baahubali. In another love song,
Mahendra starts ripping her clothes off and puts makeup on her, a classic display of the male
gaze and a huge disrespect to a warrior. Instead of being angry, she sees her face, is happy
about it, and then wears garlands and dances. This gives an impression that women always
like dressing up, applying makeup and wearing flowers, thus reinforcing traditional gender
stereotypes.
(Avantika is shown breathing from this angle)
(Angles captured during the song)
(Baahubali is shown looking at her)
Kattapa is shown as a brave and very competent soldier. He is loyal and dutiful, so much so
that he even kills Baahubali on the queen’s order. Like all other male protagonists’ entries, he
was also introduced while showcasing his sword skills and thus his bravery and competence.
Devasena is introduced as a captive held by Bhallaladeva in the first movie. As we see her
past in the second movie, she is a warrior and an independent woman. However, in the first
movie, she is not ready to help herself but rather waits for her son to come and rescue her. In
the second movie, she is shown as a warrior fighting for herself. She challenges traditional
gender roles with her interest in archery, her confidence and her bravery. But her dialogues
still reinforced traditional biases, like she said to Baahubali, “Aren’t you ashamed of
hiding behind women?”
Sivagami is shown as a strong woman with principles. When she is introduced in the first
Baahubali movie, she is shown fighting and defeating warriors with one hand. She is
independent, fair and caring and loving for her children. Her voice and expressions show
authority and command respect. She challenges traditional gender roles and takes her
own decisions despite opposition from her husband.
She is very brave and she is shown as undeterred even when an angry elephant comes before
her. However, the way she promises her son, a wife without even asking the girl shows that,
she still believes that women hold a lesser place than men and their choice is less
important.
Amrendra Baahubali is shown as a man of principles right from childhood. He is fierce and
strong but at the same time, he cares for the people of his kingdom. However, even then,
respecting women is not shown as a personality trait of this otherwise almost-perfect ruler.
Towards the end of the first movie, we can see him dancing with three women, and it is not
just shown as acceptable, but the behaviour is glorified as a masculine trait in the song.
In the second movie, he is introduced while pulling a big cart, showing his strength and
valour. While very brave and strong, he is also a compassionate ruler and a loving son. Thus,
in spite of the frequent display of strength, the character doesn’t border hypermasculinity.
How these characters contribute to the movies’ message
Avantika’s role in the first movie can be seen contributing most towards adding glamour to
the movie rather than value. Mahendra Baahubali is a strong character and the plot of the first
movie revolves around him trying to discover himself and his past. Devasena is a central part
of the second movie and shows how women can be independent and great warriors.
Amrendra Baahubali’s strength of character and humility conveys the message that a ruler
should be compassionate. In both the movies, the female leads are not damsels in distress
but capable women who can fight for themselves, thus challenging the traditional
portrayal of romantic relationships in movies. Kattapa and Sivagami hold an important
place in both the movies. Kattapa’s loyalty and bravery and Sivagami’s confidence and
authority shape the movies’ plot.
Comparison of gender roles between the first and second movie
In the first movie, the female protagonist Avantika was introduced with a love song where
she is wearing clothes that show her body and the camera angles also focus on her body.
Mahendra Baahubali is impressed by her beauty in the beginning. However, in the second
movie, the female protagonist Devasena is introduced with a fight scene and Amrendra
Baahubali is impressed by her skills. We cannot spot sexualization of the female lead in the
second movie. She and Baahubali are shown to respect each other and treat each other as
equals.
(Both of them fighting together)
Strength is not the only characteristic that defines Amrendra Baahubali as compared to
Mahendra, for whom the main focus is on his physical strength only.
How Baahubali movies and media can influence societal norms and expectations
Movies and mass media have the potential to shape and influence societal norms and
expectations. For example, even though female characters in Baahubali movies are shown as
strong and independent, it is quite evident throughout the movies that men hold more power
and authority than women. This can reinforce traditional gender roles and give the viewers an
impression that no matter what the skills of a woman are, she will still hold a lesser position
in the society.
However, another important aspect to note here is that changing societal values also impact
mass media. For example, we can see that in the first movie, the female lead is shown
through the lens of male gaze whereas in the second movie, Devasena is not sexualized and
her opinions and actions shape the movie’s course of action instead of just adding glamour.
Hence, I feel people constitute the mass media, get influenced by it and influence it as well.
Ultimately it is important to be an aware consumer of mass media to differentiate between
what is right and what is not. With the abundance of content that we are bombarded with
every minute, it is increasingly important to take everything with a pinch of salt.