BREAKING THE STEREOTYPES: A STUDY ON THE MALAYALAM MOVIE JAYA JAYA JAYA JAYA HEY

Abstract

A gender stereotype is an oversimplified belief or view about the characteristics, abilities, or roles that men and women should or should not possess or do. When a gender stereotype prevents men and women from pursuing their professional goals, growing as individuals, or making life decisions, it is damaging. Gender stereotyping is the practice of appointing specific characteristics or duties to a man or woman just because they are members of the same social group. This recently released Mollywood movie humorously captures the various patriarchal stereotypes/mindsets that a girl usually encounters from her childhood till her adulthood. It also signalled the start of a brand-new subgenre whereby directors could examine the tacit and nuanced methods society uses to oppress women. The genre specializes in highlighting the shortcomings in our societal conventions, which appear gentle at first glance but reveal their inherent cruelty upon closer examination. The film explores how a person like Rajesh never change, regardless of the circumstances, in addition to the amount of transformation Jaya the protagonist experiences. The preferential treatment given to a male child in a family is a topic that is spoken about and debated over for years. The movie is a reminder that such incidents still exist. But when Jaya, an ordinary girl with no family support, no degrees and no money signs the divorce petition, it is a nudge for society to wake up and accept that ‘happily ever afters’ are sometimes just a fairy tale. Here, we witness when gender stereotyping leads to a violation or violations of fundamental freedoms and human rights, it is wrong.