Female Technicians in Kannada Films Challenge Patriarchal Mindsets Beyond Exploitation
On screen, they are ‘sheroes’. But, off it, women in the Kannada film industry are still struggling to find their space and voice, quite literally. On screen, their acting, costumes, make-up, hair...
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In the Kannada film industry, women are celebrated as 'sheroes' on screen, but they continue to face challenges behind the scenes. Despite receiving praise for their performances, costumes, and makeup, women struggle to access basic facilities like washrooms on film sets. Pay disparity is also a significant issue. While there has been an increase in the number of women working in various roles on sets, the industry infrastructure still predominantly caters to men. Women in the industry face everyday sexism, with some choosing to adapt to the status quo for a better future, while others have opted to work independently. One makeup artist shared her experience of being undervalued in a male-dominated industry, highlighting how women are often relegated to supporting roles even when they have the necessary skills and experience.Female actresses like Vydurya Lokesh are often only considered for smaller projects, according to a screenplay writer. Producers frequently question if a script is centered around women, assuming that women are only suited for low-budget or non-commercial films. There is pressure to conform to stereotypical genres assigned to women in the industry. Some producers have even suggested adding a male director's name to a project to attract more viewers. Women in various roles, such as screenwriters and stylists, face challenges in the industry, including lack of access to basic necessities on set and unequal treatment compared to their male counterparts. While there have been some improvements in inclusivity, there is still a long way to go in ensuring equal treatment and opportunities for women in the film industry.There is a need for more women to come forward and share their voices, according to voiceover artist Sparsha RK. The imbalance is evident as women have fewer opportunities for roles with dialogues in movies, leading to a lack of work for female dubbing artists compared to their male counterparts. Recently, there has been a shortage of films focusing on women. Even in the music industry, it has been a significant amount of time since a noteworthy solo song by a female singer was released, with most tracks being duets or 'item songs'. It is crucial to have more female representation and voices in the media.