Unveiling the Rhetoric of Victim Blaming: Perpetuating Language Patterns in Select Bollywood Films Depicting Sexual Assault

Abstract

This research investigates the rhetoric of victim blaming of women in select Bollywood films portraying instances of sexual assaults. By examining the language patterns employed in these films, this study aims to unveil the underlying narrative constructs that perpetuate victim blaming and contribute to the cultural discourse surrounding sexual violence against women. Using an integrated Discourse and Thematic analysis, two Bollywood films, Damini (1993) and Pink (2016), have been critically analysed to identify recurring themes, dialogues, and character portrayals that potentially reinforce victim blaming. The findings of this study shed light on the perpetuating complex interplay between popular media representations, gender dynamics, and the interrogation and introspection culture (in a particular space— courtroom) post-sexual assault, even after a gap of more than two decades. Ultimately, this research aims to sensitise and encourage dialogue around the importance of responsible storytelling in the entertainment industry and its potential role in fostering empathy, understanding, and support for survivors of sexual assault. © 2024 Pathak & Narayan. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.