The late actress Smita Patil, renowned for her roles depicting strong and independent women, once criticized Bollywood for its objectification of women and drew a comparison between male and female nudity in films. She expressed concern over how the Indian audience had been conditioned to accept films that featured partially clothed bodies.

In a conversation with Doordarshan, Smita highlighted that the conventional formulas employed in commercial Bollywood often relegated women to portrayals of foolishness, perpetual suffering, or scantily clad appearances. When questioned about her decision to allow the release of a poster from the film Chakra, in which she is depicted bathing, Smita remarked that had it been her choice, she would have prevented its release.

Smita Patil on Bollywood objectifying women

She stated, “You can’t show a hero naked—nothing significant will happen. However, if a woman is depicted in the same manner, it is believed that it will draw in a hundred more viewers. The Indian audience has been conditioned to think that if a film contains sexual content and half-naked bodies, it is worth watching. This mindset is fundamentally flawed. A film that communicates a genuine message from the heart will succeed. Merely relying on such posters does not guarantee a film's success.”

When questioned about the film industry's belief that audiences favor content that objectifies women, and whether portraying women in a specific manner is essential for attracting viewers, Smita responded, “This may hold true for certain films. However, I would argue that some adult films succeed solely due to their explicit nature. If a film lacks a compelling storyline, the audience is not naive; they have a strong preference for emotional narratives. Our family dynamics are robust. If viewers are exposed to inappropriate content and conditioned to accept it, they may begin to appreciate such material. Nevertheless, it is within the power of filmmakers and actors to instigate change.”

The video clip gained renewed attention on Reddit, where fans lauded the late actress's insights. One commenter stated, "She articulates my thoughts perfectly. The audience is not foolish. Filmmakers cannot produce subpar content and then blame viewers for their preferences." Another user remarked, "Audiences are drawn to films centered on family and relationships. This interview offers a significant lesson for contemporary filmmakers." A third comment noted, "We are in need of more actors like her who stand against exploitation."

About Smita Patil

With a career that spanned over a decade and included more than 80 films, Smita Patil received two National Film Awards, a Maharashtra State Film Award, and was honored with the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award. Her notable performances include roles in films such as Manthan, Bhumika, Aakrosh, Chakra, Shakti, Arth, and Waaris, among others. Tragically, she passed away at the age of 31 due to complications during childbirth while giving birth to her son, Prateik, in 1986.

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