The Bechdel Test is a simple way to check if women are fairly shown in movies. It started in 1985 from a comic by Alison Bechdel. So what happens here is that a movie passes if it has two women who talk to each other about something besides a man. It shows if women get enough screen time because, sadly, they don’t, not even in teasers or trailers, let alone an entire film. Hence, many films fail this easy test. But there are a few Bollywood movies that pass the test. Read on to find out!
1. Queen
Queen is a fun story about Rani (Kangana Ranaut), who travels alone after her wedding is cancelled. She meets other women, like Vijaylakshmi, in Paris. They chat about life, dreams, and confidence. Their talks aren’t about men, so Queen passes the test. It shows women supporting each other.
2. Neerja
Neerja is a real-life story about a brave flight attendant, Neerja Bhanot, played by Sonam Kapoor. The conversations in the film focus on Neerja’s ambitions, not men. The film passes because it highlights women’s strength and decisions. Also, if I may add – the way she takes the lead and becomes the protector – iconic!
3. Veere Di Wedding
Veere Di Wedding follows four friends Kalindi, Avni, Sakshi, and Meera, played by Kareena Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhasker and Shikha Talsania, navigating life and love. They discuss their careers, fears, and friendships. While some chats involve men, majorly they don’t. This focus on women’s lives helps the movie pass the test. It’s about female friendship.
4. Thappad
Thappad is a powerful film about Amrita (Taapsee Pannu), who questions her marriage after being slapped. The topic of conversation in this film is about self-respect and choices. This film passes because it talks about women’s dignity.
5. Kahaani
Kahaani is a thriller about Vidya, played by Vidya Balan, a pregnant woman searching for her husband. The film’s about her mission and survival and focuses on her determination. Therefore, this film also checks the list.
Also Read: What Is The Bechdel Test And How Does It Evaluate Female Representation In Entertainment?
Well, we noticed that these films are women-focused, often called “female-centric”, and hence they pass the Bechdel Test. These movies give women space to shine as main characters. It’s also proof that a woman’s life isn’t just tied to a man; there’s more to it. However, we have a long way to go. So, hopefully we get to see more better stories for women in films.