F.i.g.h.t C.l.u.b

The Dirty Picture is one of the most talked about films of the year. Though it got mixed response from critics, the box office numbers are producers’ delight. Interestingly, there are two women who are credited for the film. Vidya Balan and Ekta Kapoor – one who shed all inhibitions for the role and the other who decided to back the film.

As some of us were discussing the film, we wondered if The Dirty Picture pass the well-known Bechdel Test. It’s a litmus test for female presence in movies, tv and other pop culture stuff. In order to pass the Bechdel Test, you have to find out the answer to these three questions.

1. Are there two or more women characters with names?

2. Do the women characters talk to each other?

3. And do the women talk to each other about something other than a man?

Click on the play button to check out the video and you will be surprised to know that most Hollywood films don’t pass the test.

To quote from the official page, The Bechdel Test is a simple way to gauge the active presence of female characters in Hollywood films and just how well rounded and complete those roles are. It was created by Allison Bechdel in her comic strip Dykes to Watch Out For in 1985. It is astonishing the number of popular movies that can’t pass this simple test. It demonstrates how little women’s complex and interesting lives are underrepresented or non existent in the film industry.

We are bit confused if The Dirty Picture passes the test or not. Silk and Ammaji talk but Ammaji doesn’t have a name, right? Do leave your comments in the comment box.  But most importantly, how many bollywood films of 2011 can pass the Bechdel test? Let’s try.