Do you think Mardaani title for a female-centric film is apt?

I tell myself that it is commendable that Bollywood is at least producing a successful film with a female protagonist, tackling a difficult subject head on, it’s pushing its own envelope forward and this must be welcomed.

But the title Mardaani is problematic for a female-centric film. Sure, it's catchy, eye-grabbing and seems symbolic of a badass woman cop beating up criminals. But delve deeper, and the title proclaims hyper-masculinity as the norm to emulate. The very notion or suggestion that courage is a manly virtue is problematic, given the ambition of this thriller is themed around women’s empowerment.

Why did it not strike the film makers that this title may be just a bit outdated? That a person who fights back need not be defined in terms of degrees of masculinity? That their entire premise for the movie is at odds with the title?

Agree/agree to disagree/discuss.

Mardaani means brave, from when did we started giving gender to adjectives? Yes, its masculine, but that's what society decided. For me, "Mardaani" is always used to describe a brave woman, period.

Also, if you think about it, it shows how Rani's character stood out in the world of "mard" as the only "naar"i"" and took them over like a badass!

Owing to the concept of the movie and the way she deals with the culprits and other people without any fear, I do agree that mardani totally justifies the title of the movie

Thanks for reminding me if this movie.

I personally love this scene

https://youtu.be/TVqBZaDcSMM

Originally posted by: _._shibani_._

Mardaani means brave, from when did we started giving gender to adjectives? Yes, its masculine, but that's what society decided. For me, "Mardaani" is always used to describe a brave woman, period.

Also, if you think about it, it shows how Rani's character stood out in the world of "mard" as the only "naar"i"" and took them over like a badass!

Mardaani means brave like a man. It's sexist.

Originally posted by: Mahisa22

Mardaani means brave like a man. It's sexist.

yes, bt i blissfully ignore the "like man" bit😆 because as i said, how can an adjective be given a gender?😆

I can't take sides here.

I think a lot of us were introduced to the term Mardaani via Subhadra Kumari Chauhan's poem celebrating the valour of Rani Laxmibai.

It wasn't much common for women to fight like a man in that era.

In contemporary times, however, female valour is gaining greater recognition. In today's context, Mardaani means bold, independent, fearless and brave.

Though I think we need more terms to celebrate female valour because the general perception treats mardaani as manly. In small towns it's used to demean women who don't cater to the fixed standards of femininity.

Originally posted by: _._shibani_._

yes, bt i blissfully ignore the "like man" bit😆 because as i said, how can an adjective be given a gender?😆

Adjectives ARE gendered. 'Feminine' and 'masculine' are also adjectives, aren't they?

I agree. If you will see a trend that feminine adjectives/ comparison are used in a derogatory tone for males( ladkiyo jaisa kamjor, chui mui something like that) while masculine adjectives are used to glorify females ( ladko jaisi bahadur). Toxic for both genders but biased towards males.

The Mardaani movies are just the female equivalent of what Amitabh's movie's did for the aam aadmi in the 70s. To see the hero meting out justice on screen which is not the ground reality.