Sexual Harassment as Courtship: Performing Hegemonic Masculinity in Contemporary Telugu Cinema

Abstract

This article analyses the courtship portrayals from six different Telugu films within the conceptual framework of masculinities, feminism and rape culture. The continuum of behaviours that define sexual harassment of woman is a key point of departure for this study. This article’s conclusion is based on the analysis of scenes and songs portraying courtship, which often borders on sexual harassment. The article also argues that these courtship behaviours are often influenced by the need to perform hegemonic masculinities and perpetuate a rape culture, denying agency to the woman’s characters in these films and in the society at large.

Keywords

Cultural studies film studies mass and new media sexual harassment rape culture Telugu cinema feminism masculinity.

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