Cinematic Portrayals of Women’s Health: Gendered Narratives and Development Discourses in Hindi Cinema.

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Title: Cinematic Portrayals of Women’s Health: Gendered Narratives and Development Discourses in Hindi Cinema.
Authors: Tripti1, Kumari Pallavi2 kumari.pallavi@galgotiasuniversity.edu.in
Source: International Journal of Special Education. 2026 Special Issue, Vol. 41, p942-953. 12p.
Subject Terms: Women's health, Reproductive health, Patriarchy, Women in development, Social change, Hindi films, Narratives
Abstract: This paper investigates the intersection of gender and development in three mainstream Hindi films: Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (2017), Padman (2018), and Janhit Mein Jaari (2022). These films foreground women’s health, agency, and sociocultural constraints, moving beyond the traditionally apolitical narratives of popular Indian cinema. (Fatma, 2025) By engaging with themes such as shame, tradition, and disparity, the films reveal how entrenched taboos and patriarchal norms impede women’s access to sexual and reproductive health, hinder selfdetermination, and ultimately impact broader developmental outcomes. (Reel Women, Real Issues: Gendered Health Narratives and Development Discourses in Contemporary Hindi Cinema,2026) Employing thematic analysis, this study identifies recurring patterns and symbolic motifs that inform cinematic representations of women’s development. By examining themes such as women’s health—particularly reproductive health— gender equity, and development, the research demonstrates that development is an intersectional and multidimensional process shaped by cultural forces influencing both policy and perception. (Sharma, 2026) Through a nuanced analysis of the films, the study illustrates how cultural narratives both reflect and challenge dominant discourses. (Fatma, 2025) Furthermore, by treating these films as cultural texts, the research underscores cinema’s potential as a platform for socially conscious storytelling and advocates for the integration of gender discourse into broader developmental frameworks. (Reel Women, Real Issues: Gendered Health Narratives and Development Discourses in Contemporary Hindi Cinema, 2026). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of International Journal of Special Education is the property of International Journal of Special Education and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
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  Data: Cinematic Portrayals of Women’s Health: Gendered Narratives and Development Discourses in Hindi Cinema.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Tripti%22">Tripti</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kumari+Pallavi%22">Kumari Pallavi</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo><i> kumari.pallavi@galgotiasuniversity.edu.in</i>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22International+Journal+of+Special+Education%22">International Journal of Special Education</searchLink>. 2026 Special Issue, Vol. 41, p942-953. 12p.
– Name: Subject
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Women's+health%22">Women's health</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reproductive+health%22">Reproductive health</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Patriarchy%22">Patriarchy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Women+in+development%22">Women in development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+change%22">Social change</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Hindi+films%22">Hindi films</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Narratives%22">Narratives</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: This paper investigates the intersection of gender and development in three mainstream Hindi films: Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (2017), Padman (2018), and Janhit Mein Jaari (2022). These films foreground women’s health, agency, and sociocultural constraints, moving beyond the traditionally apolitical narratives of popular Indian cinema. (Fatma, 2025) By engaging with themes such as shame, tradition, and disparity, the films reveal how entrenched taboos and patriarchal norms impede women’s access to sexual and reproductive health, hinder selfdetermination, and ultimately impact broader developmental outcomes. (Reel Women, Real Issues: Gendered Health Narratives and Development Discourses in Contemporary Hindi Cinema,2026) Employing thematic analysis, this study identifies recurring patterns and symbolic motifs that inform cinematic representations of women’s development. By examining themes such as women’s health—particularly reproductive health— gender equity, and development, the research demonstrates that development is an intersectional and multidimensional process shaped by cultural forces influencing both policy and perception. (Sharma, 2026) Through a nuanced analysis of the films, the study illustrates how cultural narratives both reflect and challenge dominant discourses. (Fatma, 2025) Furthermore, by treating these films as cultural texts, the research underscores cinema’s potential as a platform for socially conscious storytelling and advocates for the integration of gender discourse into broader developmental frameworks. (Reel Women, Real Issues: Gendered Health Narratives and Development Discourses in Contemporary Hindi Cinema, 2026). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of International Journal of Special Education is the property of International Journal of Special Education and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 12
        StartPage: 942
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Women's health
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Reproductive health
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Patriarchy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Women in development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social change
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Hindi films
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Narratives
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Cinematic Portrayals of Women’s Health: Gendered Narratives and Development Discourses in Hindi Cinema.
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            NameFull: Tripti
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            NameFull: Kumari Pallavi
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            – D: 10
              M: 01
              Text: 2026 Special Issue
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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              Value: 41
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            – TitleFull: International Journal of Special Education
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