BW & Friendship:To be friends or not to be friends

Can you imagine a film where two women sing Yeh Dosti Hum Nahin Todenge a la the famous Jai-Veeru pair in Sholay? Or three girls taking a road trip like the boys did in Dil Chahta Hai?

Unlike in the West where chick flicks are a popular genre, not many filmmakers have explored female bonds on screen in Bollywood, while bromances are a common feature here. One of the reasons could be the patriarchal society that we live in where one is more willing to watch guys drink themselves silly at a pub than see girls let their hair down on the dance floor.

Agrees Rajshree Ojha, who helmed Aisha, "It's all about the male gaze in Indian society. Even when we have had female-oriented films, they have been on serious subjects. Audience is not exposed to watching girls hang out together or go shopping on screen."

However, in recent times, few filmmakers have attempted to explored female friendships in their plots. Plus, reports suggest that Anu Menon is set to direct a film inspired by the Hollywood hit Thelma & Louise, a story of two female buddies. "With girls becoming an important audience in the mix, we might see more films on female bonding," reflects Ojha.

Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
The friendship between Deepika Padukone and Kalki Koechlin forms an important track in this film. Portrayed as polar opposite characters ' Padukone as a nerd, while Koechlin plays an adventurous, happy-go-lucky girl ' the two develop a strong bond through the course of the narrative with Deepika even raising a toast to her best friend at the latter's wedding.

Cocktail
Though they end up pining for the same boy ( Saif Ali Khan), it is endearing to watch the friendship between Deepika Padukone and Diana Penty on screen.

Ladies VS Ricky Bahl
Here, three actresses ' Parineeti Chopra, Dipannita Sharma and Aditi Sharma ' came together to devise a scheme and teach a lesson to the man who had conned them.

Aisha
Aisha might not have met the usual standards of a chick flick, but it explored the relationships between three girl friends 'Sonam Kapoor, Ira Dubey and Amrita Puri and proved that girls can have fun too.

Dor
Nagesh Kukunoor delicately handled the companionship that blossomed between Ayesha Takia and Gul Panag in this film.

Meanwhile, bromances in recent times
Chashme Baddoor, Go Goa Gone, Kai Po Che, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Delhi Belly, Pyaar Ka Punchnama, Rock On