REALISM REVISITED: AN INTERVIEW-BASED STUDY OF GENDER POLITICS IN BALU MAHENDRA’S CINEMA THROUGH GEN Z LENSES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v7.i5s.2026.7255Keywords:
Realism, Gender Politics, Gen Z, Feminist Film Theory, Audience ReceptionAbstract [English]
Realism occupied an important place in Tamil cinema, especially as a counter-movement to dramatic and commercial film traditions. Among its leading practitioners, Balu Mahendra was widely recognized for his naturalistic cinematography, intimate storytelling, and emotionally nuanced female characters. His films were often celebrated for their aesthetic minimalism and psychological depth. However, while their realism was critically acclaimed, limited research examined how contemporary youth audiences interpreted their gender politics through a feminist framework. In particular, a gap existed in reception-based studies exploring how Generation Z audiences re-evaluated these narratives in the context of modern gender discourses. The study adopted a qualitative, interview-based research design involving 40 Gen Z participants aged 18-27. Following the selected film screenings, semi-structured interviews were conducted, and responses were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed a significant generational reinterpretation of realism. While participants appreciated the emotional authenticity and visual subtlety of the films, they also identified examples of patriarchal undertones, sacrificial femininity, and the male gaze embedded within the narratives. The study revealed that realism was not ideologically neutral but was open to critical feminist rereading. By integrating audience reception theory with feminist film studies, this research contributed to expanding contemporary discourse in film and gender studies.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Dr. Abhay Kumar, Dr. Rohit Tiwari, Dr. B Ravi Narayana Sarma, Kumari Anugya, Dr. Raushan, Dr. Shikha Tiwary
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