SEXISM IN SPORTS AS REFLECTED IN CINEMA OF INDIAN CULTURAL BACKGROUND

Sexism in sports is a quite common thing and it has been represented faithfully in cinema. The present paper is a thematic study revealing sexism in sports as shown in two movies of Indian cultural background: ‘Bend It Like Beckhem’ (2002) and ‘Chak De! India’(2007). It underpins the problems faced by the Indian sportswomen of those sports that are traditionally linked to men and also shows how women are discouraged from participating and competing in sports. It also highlights the male view of women as weak and less competent. The protagonists of the movies under discussion suffer sexism at familial, social and professional levels in sports because of their being women. The paper throws light on various types of barriers -such as socio-cultural, biological and psychological- which women players have to cross, in addition to dealing with a bizarre and weird kind of treatment which is never offered to their male counterparts. It depicts how family pressures and restrictions, cultural inhibitions, lack of support and biased attitude of society can ultimately yield to the determination of women players. The paper suggests that sports can be used as an effective tool for women empowerment.