Mothers as Advocates in Pakistani and Indian Society: Analyzing films ‘Dukhtar’ and ‘Secret Superstar’

Abstract

This research uses a comparative thematic analysis for the films Dukhtar (Pakistan, 2014) and Secret Superstar (India, 2017), concentrating on how the mothers are shown in the role of promoters of their daughters within patriarchal South Asian societies. The research through the consideration of selected narrative scenes in the films dissects the methods through which the motherly characters oppose oppressive societal norms through encouraging, protecting and giving up for the sake of their children’s futures. The research also reveals the complicated methods used by the two films in fighting the traditional gender roles and societal expectations of the society. The mother is not shown as just a passive character who is acted upon but a change agent who takes up both the overt and subtle approach to subversion of the social norms in the community. Moreover, the research deals with the issue of community resistance and support these figures receive, which serves as a broader reflection of conflicts caused by culture in the countries of Pakistan and India. The results show that both movies bring out the resilience and resourcefulness of the motherly character and proved to be insightful in the rephrased one, and lastly, the papers generally make the moves of gender, autonomy, and liberation in South Asian cinemas more visible from the past.