Beyond Biology: Male Nurturing and the Cinematic Imagination of Motherhood in Bollywood

Author(s)	Ms. Ankita Mishra
Country	India
Abstract	Motherhood, traditionally defined as the state of being a mother, is often understood through fixed gender roles that are socially constructed. These roles assign specific duties and behaviours to men and women that are reflected in many cultural artefacts, such as cinema. Films, as reflections of society, often replicate these predefined gender roles. However, as societal norms evolve, these roles are increasingly questioned, shaped and reshaped. The concept of motherhood is no longer exclusively tied to women; rather, it is recognised as an emotional experience that transcends gender, encompassing love, care, and nurturing. Some Bollywood films, such as Angrezi Medium, Mai Aisa Hi Hoon, and Rishtey, have begun to challenge traditional notions of motherhood by portraying male characters who assume the roles typically associated with mothers. These films portray fathers who demonstrate emotional depth, care, and sacrifice, taking on dual roles as both fathers and mothers in their children’s lives. Thus, this paper examines the selected Bollywood movies that represent the concept of motherhood through male characters.
Keywords	Men, Motherhood, Gender roles, Father, Bollywood
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 6, November-December 2025
Published On	2025-12-18
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i06.63956

About IJFMR Fees & Payment Current Issue Publication Archive	Submit Research Paper Track Submission Status Publication Guidelines Publication Ethics Peer Review & Plagiarism	Join as a Reviewer Editors & Reviewers Reviewer Referral Program Get Reviewer Membership Certi.	Website/Journal Policies Usage Policy Content Policies Privacy Policy

Contact Us		+91-9687-828-838	editor@ijfmr.com

International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research