Caste and women in Haryanvi cinema: A socio-cultural analysis

Abstract

Haryanvi cinema is a potent cultural mirror that both reflects and shapes local norms, identity, and power dynamics. But the way caste and gender are portrayed exposes ingrained biases and inequalities that reflect Haryana's broader socio-political reality. This essay critically examines how caste and gender are portrayed in film and folk media, paying special attention to how the voices of Dalit and Meo Muslim women are silenced. This study explores how patriarchal norms and dominant caste ideologies are upheld in regional cinema by incorporating Mewat's grounded research, field interviews, cultural texts, and film analysis. It also highlights new resistive narratives and suggests a route toward inclusive cultural production.