Bhadralok Masculinities in Rituparno Ghosh’s Cinema: Between Tradition and Transgression

Grounded in a theoretical framework of masculinity studies, Fragile Frames examines the films of Rituparno Ghosh to offer a novel analysis of his portrayal of men.

The term bhadralok, rooted in the Sanskrit word bhadra, emerged as a cultural ideal in colonial India. It represented a specific mode of masculinity associated with refinement, civilization, and intellectual superiority. Globalization and migrations have created diverse conceptualizations of the bhadralok identity due to varying social and cultural capital accumulations.

The central tenet of this book lies in the idea that bhadralok masculinity is not solely a sociocultural performance but is rooted in a matrix of masculine power, authority, and privilege. While the bhadralok man is often associated with refinement and civility, this study reveals the complexities of this identity, including its potential for violence. Through analyzing the social construction of bhadralok masculinities in the cinematic texts of Ghosh, acknowledging their diversity, and examining intersections with femininity, spaces, state institutions, age, and familial relations, this study challenges the essentialist nature of masculinity.

With its novel intellectual approach, this book will contribute to the existing scholarship on Rituparno Ghosh and masculinity studies by offering a fresh perspective on his cinematic oeuvre. It ultimately sheds light on the complexities of masculinity in the context of Bengali bhadralok culture and Indian masculinities within the broader context and offers valuable insights into the experiences of men and the challenges they face in navigating societal expectations.