Bollywood, India’s largest and most influential film industry, has long been a mirror to societal norms and fantasies. Unfortunately, one of its deeply entrenched legacies is the objectification of women—a problem that continues to fester despite waves of feminism, calls for gender-sensitive storytelling, and changing audience expectations. The recent buzz around Housefull 5, the latest installment in the slapstick comedy franchise, has once again raised red flags about how Bollywood treats women on screen.
Understanding Objectification in Bollywood
At its core, objectification is the reduction of a person—usually a woman—to her body or sexual appeal, stripping her of agency, individuality, and humanity. In Bollywood, this often manifests in:
- Item numbers that showcase women as eye candy,
- Roles limited to love interests, wives, or glamour elements,
- Dialogues and scenes that demean, sexualize, or infantilize women,
- Cinematic framing that prioritizes the male gaze.
While progress has been made through films like Queen, Thappad, Kahaani, and Piku, the larger commercial space continues to rely heavily on outdated tropes that cater to patriarchal and sexist mindsets.
Housefull Franchise: A Legacy of Misogyny Disguised as Comedy
The Housefull series has never been subtle about its brand of humor. Across the previous four films, women have largely been used as decorative elements—dressed in designer clothes, dancing in exotic locations, and existing solely to react to the men’s antics. From ridiculous plotlines that confuse wives with girlfriends to punchlines based on skin color, virginity, and female stereotypes, the franchise is a prime example of how comedy often hides misogyny.
What We Know About Housefull 5
Though Housefull 5 is released with the same old plot elements suggest that the film continues this problematic tradition. Five lead actresses, barely distinguishable by their characters or story arcs, are shown mostly in glamorous avatars, positioned as extensions of the male leads’ jokes or dilemmas.
Instead of evolving with the times, Housefull 5 appears to double down on formulaic narratives that prioritize slapstick, objectification, and regressive humor over meaningful representation.
The Real-World Impact of On-Screen Objectification
This pattern isn’t just harmless entertainment—it has real consequences. Repeated exposure to films where women are dehumanized normalizes these views in society. It:
- Shapes how men perceive women, reducing respect for women’s autonomy and intellect,
- Impacts young girls’ self-esteem, pressuring them to fit unrealistic beauty standards,
- Undermines the progress of gender equality, especially when such content is consumed by millions without critical reflection.
Why It’s Time to Demand Better
The audience is evolving. Women are not just the muses—they are writers, directors, producers, and critics. Movements like #MeToo and the rising feminist consciousness in India call for films that respect and reflect the complexity of women’s lives.
It’s high time filmmakers realize that objectification isn’t “comedy”—it’s lazy, outdated, and harmful. The entertainment industry has the power to influence mindsets and spark social change. With that power comes responsibility.
Entertainment Shouldn’t Come at the Cost of Respect
Housefull 5 may bring box office numbers, but it brings along a message that women are still not taken seriously in mainstream Bollywood. Until filmmakers break free from the cycle of profit-driven objectification, cinema will continue to fail half its audience.
As viewers, critics, and creators, we must ask more of our films—not just laughs and glamor, but dignity, depth, and direction. Because when half the population is reduced to a joke, the whole story suffers.
SheLit