‘A Death in the Gunj’ and the Portrayal of Masculinity in Indian Cinema
The concept of a hero has been clearly defined and maintained in Indian Cinema. Tall, handsome, muscular, and brave, are just some characteristics typical of the main character who is never unnerved by any predicament. Indian cinema has very clearly carved out a picture of the ideal man who is the provider, the fighter, and the protector of the people around him. Such portrayals of masculinity have been prevalent from the very birth of cinema in the country and persist even in contemporary times.
In the presence of a plethora of such films, there is one movie that defies gender normativity in a beautiful and harrowing way. ‘A Death in the Gunj’ is a 2016 Indian English-language movie directed by Konkona Sen Sharma. It follows the main character Shutu who is a sensitive, introverted, and kind-natured man. All of these characteristics, generally portrayed as being associated with femininity, make Shutu such an unusual main character and unfortunately, one who is fraught with misery. Surrounded by people falling under the hypermasculine stereotype, Shutu is constantly stuck in a cycle of performing, and subsequently proving, his masculinity for the masses around him. Either used or scorned by everyone surrounding him, Shutu finds it hard to deal with the pressures he is afflicted with and the academic as well as social failures that he is facing. The movie ultimately ends with a tragic end to his tragic life.
The media we consume exists outside of its fictional vacuum. It is a part of who we are and how we portray ourselves as human beings. Indian cinema has always affected the masses it caters to. The gender performativity so characteristic of heroes in films translates to high, often unachievable, standards shouldered by the audience subjected to these pieces of media. This movie shows the very realistic effects of being a person who does not adhere to the stereotypes of a hypermasculine society ruled by “macho men”. This stereotyping does not affect masculine people singularly, however. The role of women in these films is reduced to a secondary level, being portrayed as subservient, innocent, meek, and unable to fight for themselves. The double-edged sword of such gender roles has far-reaching effects. “A Death in the Gunj” is just one of many films working towards blurring the lines between masculinity and femininity and removing the rigidity of gender. It proves that there need not be a strict dichotomy between the masculine and the feminine and that both can have shared elements.
Such films like the one discussed above are crucial for re-examining gender constructs and our relationship with the aspects that come along with them. Masculinity in Indian cinema for a long time has existed inside a uni-faceted box. With the reform of media in contemporary times, we see more and more complex masculine characters being portrayed but the prevalence of “macho men” still reigns supreme. The importance of characters like Shutu thus increases, fulfilling the need for portrayals of more sensitive, quiet, and kind men, in short, portrayals of more real men.
