In a candid discussion with Mathrubhumi, actor-filmmaker Suhasini Maniratnam voiced her concerns about the exploitation of women in cinema, particularly how the notion of "freedom of expression" is being misused. She highlighted a growing trend among artists who believe that revealing skin equates to being "liberated." Suhasini remarked, "There is a lot of freedom in skin exposure and close scenes because we’re copying the West and we don’t mind doing sensuous scenes." She pointed out that this liberalization has led to a cycle of exploitation, with women participating willingly in body exposure and intimate scenes.
Suhasini elaborated on the shift in attitudes towards representation, noting that, unlike in the past when artists felt compelled to conform to industry norms, today many claim to act out of personal freedom. "But today, you are saying, ‘mentally I am free to do this. It’s not for money, it’s not to be number one. But I’ll do whatever I want,’" she stated. Yet, she believes that beneath this facade of freedom, women continue to face exploitation in the film industry.
Discussing the evolution of women's roles in commercial cinema since 2010, Suhasini acknowledged progress but criticized earlier portrayals that revolved around the "taming of the shrew" concept, which largely reflected male perspectives. Using actor Vijay as an example, she noted that he previously starred in films with traditional narratives, suggesting a significant shift in the types of roles he chooses today. "Now, Vijay doesn’t do it. He has done films with Asin and others where it was taming of the shrew," she pointed out.
Suhasini raised a crucial question about the industry's acceptance of these narratives in the past, arguing that the recent backlash against them stems from women waking up and challenging why every film revolves around the theme of a modern woman being subdued by a man. "Any Hindi mainstream film if you’d take, that was the main thing," she concluded, emphasizing the need for a more equitable and nuanced portrayal of women in cinema.
