Does 'Stree 2' pass the Bechdel test
The recently released horror-comedy, Stree 2, starring Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao, has become a hot topic of discussion among fans. While the film's success is undeniable, there's a raging debate on X about who should be credited for it. Some argue that it's a 'female-oriented' movie, attributing its triumph to Kapoor's performance, while others claim that Rao is the biggest reason behind its success. However, does Stree 2 truly qualify as a 'female-oriented' film? Let's find out.
What makes a movie 'female-oriented?'
To determine whether Stree 2 is 'female-oriented,' it's essential to understand what the term implies. A 'female-oriented' or 'female-centric' film mostly appeals to women through its subject, characters, or narrative focus. These films often explore female characters' experiences and opinions on various topics such as relationships, careers, family, self-discovery, or personal growth. Such films usually cast male actors in supporting roles, and they are usually in the shadows, while the female actor leads the pack.
'Stree 2' falls short of 'female-oriented' criteria
While Kapoor's role is crucial, the primary focus remains on Vicky (Rao) and his friends Bittu (Aparshakti Khurana), Jana (Abhishek Banerjee), and Rudra (Pankaj Tripathi). Another crucial point is that in both the movies, Kapoor has the least amount of screentime and (spoiler) she only enters the frame properly around the interval. The male characters drive the story forward, and the movie's biggest strength lies in its strong content, hilarious dialogues, and camaraderie between Vicky, Bittu, Jana, and Rudra.
Eventually, 'Stree 2' fails the Bechdel test
The Bechdel Test is used to assess the representation of women in films and other works of fiction. A film passes the test if it has at least two female characters in it who talk to each other about something other than a man. Stree 2 fails this test as yes, there are at least two named female characters, but it falls short of satisfying the rest of the two demands. For a franchise named Stree, this is ironic!
Which Hindi films pass this test?
While Stree 2 may not make the cut, Meghna Gulzar's Raazi, Vikas Bahl's Queen, Alankrita Shrivastava's Lipstick Under My Burkha, and Harshavardhan Kulkarni's Badhaai Do reportedly pass the test. These are, in many ways, female-led stories in the right sense of the word, and uncover women's vulnerabilities, anxieties, strengths, and desires. So even though Stree 2 may be hilarious and an excellent entertainer, it is far from being a marker for "female-led" movies. The film is directed by Amar Kaushik.
