Empowering Narratives: A Feminist Critique of Physicality, Identity, and Representation in the Hindi Film Mary Kom

Abstract

This paper, Empowering Narratives: A Feminist Critique of Physicality, Identity, and Representation in the Hindi Film Mary Kom, examines the biographical drama through a feminist lens, emphasizing its portrayal of gender, regional identity, and physicality. The film highlights Mary Kom’s journey as a boxer from Manipur, exploring her defiance of societal norms and regional stereotypes. By integrating perspectives from Physical Education and English Literature, this study investigates themes such as women’s physical strength, the struggles of motherhood, and North Eastern identity within a patriarchal and culturally homogenized context. Using feminist theories like intersectionality and embodiment, the analysis critiques the film’s depiction of female empowerment, maternal sacrifice, and commodification of identity in Bollywood. While Mary Kom challenges gender norms, it also reveals the systemic barriers female athletes face. This interdisciplinary critique contributes to discourses on representation in Indian cinema, advocating for authentic, inclusive narratives