The negative impact of movies leading to a rise in women exploitation

"Cinema is not the reflection of reality, it is the force that shapes our reality. "What we see on the screen often becomes what we accept as our reality. Movies that exploit women don't just stay in theatres; they shape minds and reinforce inequality."

How often do we see films where women are victims of violence, and that violence is sexualized or romanticized? An analysis (from the American Psychological Association) found that exposure to sexualized violence in films can increase aggressive behavior toward women by 20-30%. Films are not just passive reflections of society; they act as powerful tools to shape public opinion, trends, and behaviors through the characters, themes, and messages they present.

Repetition of harmful behaviors like stalking, harassment, and violence in films can normalize these actions for viewers, especially young, impressionable audiences. The glamorous portrayal of problematic behaviors gives them an aspirational quality, which can lead people to emulate these actions, believing them to be heroic or desirable.

The sheer reach of cinema in India, including Tamil films, ensures that the ideas and behaviors depicted are seen by millions, making films a key cultural force rather than a passive mirror of society. When people watch violent or aggressive behavior repeatedly in films primes the brain to react similarly when encountering similar situations in real life, increasing the likelihood of acting violently.

 to validate my argument, I’m quoting a few of many such cases where such violent behavior towards women were influenced by cinema.

In 2016, A youth was charged with an acid attack on a woman after she rejected his advances. He stated in his confession that he was influenced by similar scenes from the Tamil movie "Kadhal".

In 2015, A man tried to burn his ex-girlfriend alive after she refused to reconcile. He claimed his actions were motivated by the portrayal of revenge and possessiveness in the movie Gili.

 A recent study (by Massachusetts General Hospital) found that repeated exposure to violent and sexualized depictions of women desensitizes men to gender-based violence. Men who frequently watched such content were 50% more likely to accept and justify abusive behavior toward women, both in personal relationships and in society at large.

Movies are not just entertainment; they are cultural artifacts that shape how we view ourselves and others. As creators and consumers, it is our responsibility to demand better representation. Let’s push for stories where women are seen as complete human beings—intelligent, strong, and multifaceted. Because when we change the narrative on screen, we can begin to change it in the real world.

Thank you.