Women as a Maker of Meaning in No One Killed Jessica

Abstract

For centuries women occupied a subordinate position in the patriarchal social order and in turn represented as a bearer rather than maker of meaning in several texts. Laura Mulvey noted that "women stand in patriarchal culture as signifier for the male other, bound by a symbolic order in which man can live out his fantasies and obsessions through linguistic command by imposing them on the silent image of woman still tied to her place as bearer of meaning, not maker of meaning" (Mulvey, 2000). This argument can be seen in countless movies across generations and cultures. Mainstream Hindi film industry churned out countless movies where women represented as bearer rather than maker of meaning. However, the film No One Killed Jessica seems to be a departure from this trend. Its successful run at the box office implies most of the audience identifies with the film's representation of society and individuals. As per general perception it had a strong impact on the society regarding the changing image of women.No One Killed Jessica perhaps one of the rare films where the male gaze is absent, largely because there are no male protagonists, no song and dance sequences, and no overt sexual shots. The female lead is represented in a very masculine form. The film paved the way for newer films to represent women and their issues in a positive light by breaking the existing stereotypes. From the sociological perspective films understood as a mirror which reflects the society but produces a limited or distorted reflection because of masculine bias.The film was purposively chosen for the study because the film was unusual in many respects. The film was based on a true story of Jessica Lal murder case that shocked the entire nation and generated a public outcry when the perpetrators were acquitted by a court. Subsequently, the media took up the case rigorously and managed to pressurize the higher courts to reopen the case and finally the guilty were put behind bars. The film showed touches of serious cinema as well. It has a combination of artistic and commercial acumen.Construction of reality presupposes the establishment of reality. The basic premise of cinematic suspension of disbelief is the realization that all that appears real on screen is actually a construction of reality. The reality of Indian women has found its way straight into the silver screen. Since beginning, women in popular Hindi cinema have their set roles: somebody's daughter, wife, sister or mother. A modern woman has been portrayed to possess a less performative character. The film starts in a format of a hard-hitting documentary.This movie boasts of two main characters-Sabrina Lal (Vidya Balan) and Meera Gaity (Rani Mukherjee). Sabrina is shown to be simple, calm, nerdy, and docile and appears to be contended in her own space. She takes a back-seat in all the aspects of life as compared to her sister (Jessica Lal). She is media shy and far from the glamorous personality of Meera and Jessica.