Representation of Acid Attack Victims in Mala...

Representation of Acid Attack Victims in Malayalam Film “Uyare” and Hindi Film “Chhapaak”: A Feminist and Disability Theory Analysis

Author Name : Dr. Meera U Menon

ABSTRACT Cinema, as a powerful medium, mirrors societal values and has a profound influence on shaping public perceptions. In India, acid attacks are alarmingly common, with survivors often categorized as disabled under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act of 2016. Indian cinema has a history of stigmatizing portrayals of disabled women, exacerbating existing gender disparities within a patriarchal society. However, parallel cinema often provides a more nuanced representation compared to mainstream cinema. This paper critically analyzes the representation of acid attack victims in the Malayalam film Uyare and the Hindi film Chhapaak through the lens of feminist and disability theories, particularly drawing on Laura Mulvey's gaze theory, Freud's psychoanalysis, and various disability studies frameworks.