The Power of Role Plays in Enhancing Communication Skills

Role plays are one of the most dynamic and interactive strategies used in language learning and communication training. They place learners in real-life situations and allow them to act out roles, solve problems, negotiate, and express ideas confidently. Whether used in classrooms, corporate workshops, or soft-skills training, role plays help participants develop fluency, teamwork, empathy, and critical thinking.

One of the biggest advantages of role play activities is that they transform passive learners into active performers. Students do not simply learn grammar or vocabulary—they apply language in meaningful contexts. Role plays also encourage creativity, reduce speaking anxiety, and prepare learners for real-life professional scenarios such as interviews, customer interactions, or workplace communication. When learners step into different roles, they gain new perspectives and improve both verbal and non-verbal communication. Thus, role plays are an essential tool for developing confidence and competence in English language learning.

Example Role Play 1: “At a Job Interview Panel” (4 Members)

Characters:

HR Manager (HR)
Technical Expert (TE)
Panel Observer (PO)
Job Applicant (JA)

Scenario:
A company is hiring a Software Engineer. The HR Manager asks general questions about strengths, weaknesses, and hobbies. The Technical Expert asks technical questions and tests problem-solving skills. The Panel Observer notes body language, communication style, and confidence. The Job Applicant answers all questions politely and professionally, explaining previous project work and future goals. In the end, the panel members discuss the applicant’s performance and decide whether to shortlist him/her.

Scene: Corporate Interview Room

HR: Good morning! Please take your seat. Could you introduce yourself?
JA: Good morning, ma’am. I’m Arjun Kumar, a Computer Science graduate with strong skills in Python and full-stack development.

PO: (noting) The candidate maintains good eye contact.

TE: Arjun, can you explain one challenging project you worked on?
JA: Certainly, sir. I developed a real-time attendance tracker using face recognition. The challenge was improving accuracy in low lighting, so I fine-tuned the OpenCV model and achieved 92% accuracy.

HR: That’s impressive. How do you handle teamwork conflicts?
JA: I listen first, identify the root issue, and ensure the team follows a clear plan with shared responsibilities.

TE: Last question—why should we hire you?
JA: Because I combine technical skills with teamwork, discipline, and willingness to learn. I will contribute meaningfully from day one.

HR: Thank you, Arjun. Please wait outside while we discuss.
(JA leaves the room.)

PO: Confident, clear communicator, and technically strong.
TE: I agree. He gave practical examples.
HR: Then we shortlist him.

Example Role Play 2: Handling a Customer Complaint in a Restaurant — With Dialogues

Characters:

Customer (CU)
Restaurant Manager (RM)
Waiter (WA)
Chef (CH)

Scene: A Busy Restaurant

CU: Excuse me! This pasta is completely cold. I did not expect this from your restaurant.
WA: I’m really sorry, sir. Let me inform the Manager immediately.

RM: Good evening, sir. I apologise for the inconvenience. Could you tell me what went wrong?
CU: The dish is cold, and the flavour is totally off.

RM: Thank you for bringing this to our notice. We’ll fix it right away. Please give us a few minutes.
CH enters.

CH: Sir, I sincerely apologise. There was a delay at the counter, and your dish cooled. I’ll remake it fresh according to your preference.
CU: I appreciate you taking responsibility.

RM: We’ll also offer you a complimentary dessert as a gesture of apology.
CU: That’s generous. Thank you for the quick response.

WA: Your freshly prepared pasta will be served in five minutes, sir.
CU: Great. Thank you, everyone.

RM: We’re happy to resolve the issue. Enjoy your meal!

Creating a LinkedIn Profile

How to Create a LinkedIn Profile — Step-by-Step Procedure

LinkedIn is the go-to professional network — perfect for job hunting, networking, and showcasing your skills. Follow these simple steps to create a strong LinkedIn profile that gets noticed.

1. Sign up for LinkedIn

What to do:
Go to linkedin.com (or open the mobile app). Click Join now → enter your name, email, and create a password → verify your email.

Suggested image: Screenshot of the LinkedIn signup page.
Alt text: “LinkedIn signup screen showing fields for name, email and password.”

2. Add a professional profile photo

What to do:
Use a clear headshot (shoulders up), neutral background, smile lightly, dress as you would at work. Crop so your face occupies ~60% of the frame.

Suggested image: Example of a good vs poor profile photo (two small images side by side).
Alt text: “Comparison: professional headshot vs casual selfie.”

3. Choose a headline that shows what you do

What to do:
The headline (below your name) defaults to your job title — make it sharper: e.g.,
B.Tech (CSE) • Aspiring Frontend Developer | React • HTML • CSS
Keep it short, keyword-rich, and targeted.

Suggested image: Screenshot of profile header showing name + headline.
Alt text: “LinkedIn profile header with sample headline.”

4. Write a short, impactful About/Summary

What to do:
In 3–5 short paragraphs, mention who you are, your strengths, what you’re looking for, and a call to action (e.g., “open to internships”). Use first person. Add 3–5 key skills as inline keywords.

Suggested image: Screenshot of the About section in edit mode.
Alt text: “LinkedIn About section with editable text box.”

5. Add Experience, Education, and Projects

What to do:

Experience: Add roles, organization, dates, 3–5 bullet points (achievements, impact with numbers).
Education: Degree, college, years, relevant coursework.
Projects: Name, short description, technologies used, link if available.

Suggested image: Screenshot showing Experience + Projects entries.
Alt text: “LinkedIn Experience and Projects sections with sample entries.”

6. Add skills & get endorsements

What to do:
Add 10–15 skills (technical + soft skills). Pin your top 3. Ask classmates/colleagues for endorsements.

Suggested image: Screenshot of the Skills & Endorsements section.
Alt text: “Skills section with endorsement icons.”

7. Get recommendations (qualitative testimonials)

What to do:
Request 2–3 recommendations from professors, internship mentors, or colleagues. Ask politely, suggest points they can mention.

Suggested image: Example screenshot of a recommendation on a profile.
Alt text: “LinkedIn recommendation displayed on profile.”

8. Customize your LinkedIn URL

What to do:
Go to Edit public profile & URL → create a short URL like linkedin.com/in/yourname. Add it to your résumé and email signature.

Suggested image: Screenshot of the Edit public profile page showing custom URL editing.
Alt text: “Custom LinkedIn URL edit screen.”

9. Connect, follow, and engage

What to do:

Connect with peers, faculty, recruiters (add a short personalized note).
Follow companies and thought leaders in your field.
Post updates: project demos, articles, or short reflections (1–2 times weekly).

Suggested image: Screenshot of the Connect button and a sample post composer window.
Alt text: “Connect button and LinkedIn post composer.”

10. Use LinkedIn features to boost visibility

What to do:

Turn on Open To Work or Open To (for recruiters).
Add Featured section to pin top posts, media or portfolio.
Use hashtags and tag people when posting.
Join relevant groups and participate.

Suggested image: Screenshots of Open To Work toggle and Featured section.
Alt text: “Open To Work toggle and Featured section on LinkedIn profile.”

Quick checklist before you publish your profile

Professional photo uploaded
Headline is keyword-rich and targeted
About section completed (3–5 lines)
Experience + Projects added with achievements
Skills added and top 3 pinned
Custom URL set
20–30 relevant connections made
1 recent post or project shared

Explanation Photos:

Final tips

Keep language simple and active: use verbs like built, improved, developed, led.
Update the profile every 3 months.
Use analytics (profile views) to see what works and tweak your headline/summary.

Clichés in English

Clichés in English: What They Are and Why We Keep Using Them

Open any conversation, movie script, or social media post, and you’re sure to find them—those familiar, overused expressions we call clichés. Phrases like “time heals all wounds,” “at the end of the day,” or “the calm before the storm” pop up so often that we barely notice them anymore.

But what exactly are clichés, and why do we rely on them so much?

⭐ What Is a Cliché?

A cliché is a word, phrase, or idea that has been used so many times/ overused that it has lost its originality and impact.
Originally, clichés were fresh and meaningful. Over time, repeated use made them predictable, and sometimes even boring.

Example clichés:

“Better late than never”
“Don’t judge a book by its cover”
“Every cloud has a silver lining”

These expressions are not wrong—they’re just overused.

⭐ Why Do We Use Clichés?

Even though clichés are worn out, they remain popular because:

✔ They are familiar

People instantly recognize the meaning, making communication quick and easy.

✔ They express common human experiences

Love, loss, hope, fear—we often describe them using old phrases that everyone understands.

✔ They save time

When we can’t think of the perfect words, clichés fill the gap.

✔ They offer comfort

Some clichés sound like advice from an old friend:
“Everything happens for a reason.”

⭐ Common Clichés to Watch Out For

Here are some clichés that appear everywhere—from essays to movies:

🔹 Life and Motivation Clichés

“Follow your dreams.”
“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

🔹 Love and Relationships

“Love is blind.”
“Plenty of fish in the sea.”

🔹 Storytelling Clichés

“Last but not least.”
“It was love at first sight.”

🔹 Idioms Turned Clichés

“Break the ice.”
“Hit the nail on the head.”

⭐ Why Should Writers Avoid Clichés?

For students, bloggers, and creative writers, clichés weaken writing because:

✔ They lack originality

Fresh writing requires fresh expression.

✔ They fail to evoke real emotion

A cliché feels shallow compared to a vivid, personal description.

✔ Teachers and editors notice them immediately

Overused expressions make writing predictable.

⭐ How to Replace Clichés

Here are some practical tips to avoid clichés:

🌱 1. Be specific

Instead of saying “time heals all wounds,” try describing how a person actually recovered.

🎨 2. Use imagery

Paint a picture with your words.
Replace “as cool as a cucumber” with a unique comparison.

🧠 3. Think before you write

Ask: “Have I heard this phrase too often?”

✍️ 4. Show, don’t tell

Instead of writing “She was heartbroken,” describe her actions, expressions, or thoughts.

⭐ Are Clichés Always Bad?

Not at all!

Clichés can be useful when:

You want to make writing simple and universally understood
You're speaking casually
The phrase still feels meaningful in context

Even professionals use a cliché now and then. The key is balance.

⭐ Final Thoughts

Clichés are a natural part of the English language—easy, familiar, and comforting. But in writing, avoiding them can make your work clearer, fresher, and more powerful.

So next time you write or speak, pause for a moment. Instead of reaching for a tired expression, try creating something new. You might be surprised at how much stronger your communication becomes.

🌟 100 Common Clichés in English

Life & Motivation

Time heals all wounds
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger
Better late than never
At the end of the day
Only time will tell
Every cloud has a silver lining
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade
Actions speak louder than words
Time flies
Live and let live

Love & Relationships

Love is blind
Love conquers all
Opposites attract
There are plenty of fish in the sea
Love at first sight
Absence makes the heart grow fonder
You complete me
Broken heart
Head over heels in love
A match made in heaven

Success & Failure

Failure is the stepping stone to success
Practice makes perfect
Rome wasn’t built in a day
The sky’s the limit
No pain, no gain
Nothing ventured, nothing gained
Winners never quit, quitters never win
Hard work pays off
You win some, you lose some
If at first you don’t succeed, try again

Wisdom & Advice

Don’t judge a book by its cover
Look before you leap
Better safe than sorry
Honesty is the best policy
The early bird catches the worm
The grass is always greener on the other side
Don’t cry over spilled milk
Curiosity killed the cat
Birds of a feather flock together
You reap what you sow

Weather & Nature

Calm before the storm
Under the weather
It’s raining cats and dogs
A drop in the ocean
As fresh as a daisy
Make hay while the sun shines
Cold as ice
Run like the wind
Break the ice
Snowed under

Work & Daily Life

Back to square one
Think outside the box
Hit the ground running
Keep your eye on the ball
Touch base
On the same page
The ball is in your court
Easier said than done
Call it a day
Burn the midnight oil

Storytelling & Conversation

Once upon a time
Last but not least
Believe it or not
In this day and age
It’s not rocket science
To make a long story short
Without further ado
The rest is history
All’s well that ends well
The moment of truth

Emotions & Reactions

Scared to death
Sick and tired
On cloud nine
A blessing in disguise
Fit as a fiddle
Over the moon
Down in the dumps
Crying your heart out
Cool as a cucumber
Bite the bullet

Conflict & Problem-Solving

Barking up the wrong tree
Adding fuel to the fire
Fight fire with fire
Caught between a rock and a hard place
Blow things out of proportion
Cross that bridge when you come to it
A storm in a teacup
Throw in the towel
Hit the nail on the head
Cut to the chase

Miscellaneous

The calm before the storm
A diamond in the rough
A fish out of water
A needle in a haystack
A piece of cake
The tip of the iceberg
Lightning never strikes twice
The writing on the wall
Water under the bridge
The apple of my eye

Short Quiz on Clichés

A. Identify the cliché in each sentence (1–5).

Time will heal everything—you just have to wait.
She is really burning the midnight oil this week.
He ran like the wind to catch the bus.
At the end of the day, it was his decision.
Their new idea was just the tip of the iceberg.

B. Rewrite the clichés in bold using fresh expressions (6–8).

She spilled the beans about the surprise.
Don’t cry over spilled milk—move on!
He bit the bullet and apologized.

**C. Choose the best replacement that is not a cliché (9–10).**

Instead of “the grass is always greener,” choose:
a) People often think others have better lives
b) The grass is greener on the other side
c) Everyone’s life is perfect except ours
Instead of “busy as a bee,” choose:
a) He works constantly and efficiently
b) Busy as a beaver
c) Busy as a bee

✅ Answers

A. Identify the cliché in each sentence (1–5).

Time will heal everything
Burning the midnight oil
Ran like the wind
At the end of the day
The tip of the iceberg

B. Rewrite the clichés in bold using fresh expressions (Sample answers)

She revealed the secret about the surprise.
Don’t worry about what’s already done—move on!
He gathered his courage and apologized.

(Any original, non-cliché rephrasing is acceptable.)

**C. Choose the best replacement that is not a cliché.**

a) People often think others have better lives
a) He works constantly and efficiently

🌙 The Rising of the Moon: A Powerful Tale of Patriotism and Identity

The Rising of the Moon, written by Lady Augusta Gregory, is a short but deeply meaningful Irish play that explores nationalism, duty, and the awakening of a suppressed identity. Though simple on the surface, the play carries strong emotional and political undertones that still resonate today.

⭐ Summary of the Play

The entire play takes place at a harbour at night. A Sergeant and two policemen are searching for an escaped revolutionary. After the other policemen leave, a Ballad Singer arrives and starts talking to the Sergeant. Through Irish songs and stories, he gradually revives the Sergeant’s forgotten feelings of patriotism and love for Ireland.

A surprising twist comes when the Sergeant realizes that the singer is actually the escaped revolutionary in disguise. When the other policemen return, the Sergeant chooses to stay silent and secretly helps the rebel escape. In the end, he stands alone, conflicted but awakened: the spirit of Irish nationalism has risen once more within him.

⭐ Historical Background

The play is set during the early 1900s, a time when Ireland was under British rule.
Many Irish people longed for freedom and fought through rebellion, cultural revival movements, and political resistance. Freedom fighters were often hunted by British-controlled police.

Lady Gregory wrote the play to reflect this intense atmosphere.
The Sergeant represents the Irish people divided between duty to the British government and loyalty to their own motherland. The Ballad Singer symbolizes the spirit of Irish rebellion and courage.

⭐ Major Themes

1. Patriotism and National Identity

The Ballad Singer awakens the Sergeant’s forgotten love for Ireland. National identity proves stronger than professional duty.

2. Duty vs. Emotion

The Sergeant must choose between his job (arresting the rebel) and his heart (helping a fellow Irishman).
He ultimately follows emotion and conscience.

3. Power of Music

Irish ballads (folk songs) stir memories and spark rebellion.
Music becomes a weapon of emotional persuasion.

4. Colonial Conflict

The tension between British law and Irish nationalism underlies the entire play.

⭐ Character Analysis

The Sergeant

Honest, hardworking police officer
Serves under British authority but has deep Irish roots
Undergoes emotional transformation after hearing the singer’s ballads
Represents ordinary Irish people struggling with identity

The Ballad Singer (The Rebel)

Clever, brave, patriotic
Uses songs as a disguise and resistance
Symbol of Irish nationalism and hope

The Policemen

Obedient to authority
Represent those who follow orders without questioning identity

⭐ Symbols in the Play

🌙 The Rising Moon

Symbolizes the rise of Irish nationalism and awakening of patriotic spirit.

🎭 The Disguise

Shows how revolution hides in everyday life and how appearances can deceive.

⚓ The Harbour

A boundary between two worlds—British law and Irish rebellion.

⭐ Why This Play Still Matters Today

It shows how cultural identity can survive oppression.
It reminds us that music and storytelling can inspire social change.
It highlights the inner conflict between professional duty and personal beliefs.
It celebrates moral courage in difficult times.

⭐ Final Thoughts

The Rising of the Moon is a short play, but it delivers a strong message:

when the spirit of a nation rises, no force can suppress it.

The Sergeant’s final decision captures the emotional power of identity and the deep bond humans share with their homeland.

Whether read for literature, drama, or history, this play offers rich insight into Ireland’s struggle for freedom and the eternal human quest for justice.

Gender and Electronic Media

💻 Gender and Electronic Media: Who Controls the Screen?

In today’s hyperconnected world, the screen is everywhere — from phones and laptops to televisions and tablets. And just like cinema, electronic media doesn’t merely reflect reality; it also reshapes it.
The way gender is represented — in news, advertisements, television shows, and social media — quietly influences how people think, talk, and behave.

But as digital spaces evolve, so does the conversation around gender.

📺 From Representation to Reinforcement:

For decades, traditional electronic media — especially television and advertising — reinforced gender stereotypes.
Women were shown as caregivers, homemakers, or beauty icons; men were portrayed as decision-makers, breadwinners, and problem-solvers.

Consider Indian television ads from the 1990s: a woman washing clothes in a detergent commercial, a man giving career advice in a financial ad — both reinforcing “who belongs where.”
Even global media followed similar trends. As media scholar Gaye Tuchman famously observed, this creates a “symbolic annihilation” of women — where they exist on screen, but only within limiting roles.

Yet, times are changing.

🌐 The Rise of Digital Voices:

The arrival of social media and digital content platforms has opened new possibilities.
Women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and marginalized groups are no longer just subjects of stories — they are storytellers.

YouTube, Instagram, and podcasts have become stages for authentic voices.
Creators like Kusha Kapila, Srishti Dixit, and Dolly Singh in India use humor and satire to challenge beauty standards, workplace sexism, and everyday patriarchy.
Globally, digital activists like Emma Watson (with the HeForShe campaign) and Laverne Cox (a trans advocate and actor) use online platforms to blend visibility with advocacy.

Electronic media, once controlled by a few, is now more participatory and democratic — though not free from bias.

📢 Gender and News Media:

Even in the world of journalism, gender balance is improving but still uneven.
Women anchors are more visible on Indian news channels today than ever before, yet studies show they are still underrepresented in leadership roles.

In 2024, initiatives like UN Women’s “Media Compact” began encouraging newsrooms to adopt gender-sensitive reporting and equal representation.
However, sensationalist coverage of gender-based violence in Indian media still often slips into victim-blaming or objectification, showing that ethical progress remains a work in progress.

🎮 New Media, Old Problems:

Electronic media has also expanded into gaming and streaming platforms, where gender representation brings both progress and pitfalls.
Games and web series often reproduce gender clichés — the hypersexualized woman, the violent man, the queer sidekick.
However, creators are beginning to challenge this:

Web shows like Four More Shots Please! and Made in Heaven explore urban women’s agency and identity.
Telugu web series such as CommitMental (2020) and Maa Neella Tank (2022) attempt to show nuanced relationships and evolving gender roles.
Even online gaming now features female-led narratives (Horizon Zero Dawn, Assassin’s Creed: Mirage) that redefine power and heroism.

The shift shows how digital storytelling can question the hierarchies built by earlier forms of electronic media.

🧠 Gender Performativity and Media Power:

According to theorist Judith Butler, gender is something we perform — through repeated actions shaped by culture and media.
Electronic media plays a crucial role in scripting those performances — deciding what’s “masculine” or “feminine,” what’s desirable or deviant.

However, when new creators — especially women and queer voices — reclaim that script through blogs, reels, podcasts, or short films, they disrupt the performance.
The result? A slow but powerful rewriting of gender expectations in public consciousness.

💬 The Double-Edged Screen:

Electronic media is both empowering and exploitative.
While it offers space for gender diversity, it also hosts online abuse, trolling, and digital surveillance, especially targeting women and queer users.

The same internet that amplifies women’s voices also exposes them to harassment — a reminder that access doesn’t always mean equality.
This duality makes media literacy, empathy, and regulation essential parts of gender justice in the digital age.

🌈 The Road Ahead:

Today’s electronic media can no longer hide behind old roles.
Audiences expect representation, respect, and responsibility.
When an ad celebrates a father cooking or a digital series normalizes queer love, that’s not just entertainment — that’s evolution.

As India moves deeper into the age of digital storytelling, every creator, journalist, and viewer becomes a part of the gender conversation.
The challenge is not just to give everyone a screen, but to ensure every screen tells a story worth seeing.

✨ Closing Thought:

Gender and electronic media are inseparable — one shapes the other.
The question is no longer “Who is on screen?” but “Who gets to tell the story?”
And as more voices rise from every corner of the internet, the screen — once a mirror of stereotypes — may finally become a window to equality.

Gender and Films

🎬 Gender and Films: Changing Frames in Indian Cinema

Cinema doesn’t just reflect our society — it also rewrites it.

In India, where movies are almost a shared religion, or a sacred second language, films have long shaped how we see gender — what men “should” be and what women “must” become.

But today, those definitions are shifting. From Bollywood to Tollywood, the big screen is slowly turning into a mirror where equality, identity, and self-expression begin to take center stage.

🎞️ The Male Gaze and the Hero’s World

Film theorist Laura Mulvey, in her essay Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema (1975), described the “male gaze” — the way mainstream cinema looks at women through male desire.
For decades, Indian films followed this formula. The hero acted; the heroine was admired. The man’s story drove the film, and the woman’s beauty decorated it.

Think of Hindi classics like Sholay (1975) or Deewar (1975) — women were secondary to the hero’s journey.
In Telugu cinema too, older films such as Murari (2001) or Pokiri (2006) portrayed women as emotional anchors or romantic interests rather than decision-makers.

The screen belonged to the hero — the “mass” star who fought villains, danced with the heroine, and saved the world. But the lens rarely turned toward the woman’s perspective.

💪 From Stereotypes to Strength

Then came the change.
Films began telling stories from the woman’s point of view, challenging gender stereotypes one frame at a time.

In Hindi cinema, Kahaani (2012) and Queen (2014) redefined womanhood through strength, vulnerability, and independence.
Telugu cinema, often seen as hero-driven, also started evolving.

Movies like:

Kshanam (2016) — showcased a female character (Adah Sharma) with agency and emotional complexity in a suspenseful narrative.
Mahanati (2018) — the biopic of legendary actress Savitri, portrayed by Keerthy Suresh, beautifully explored the highs and heartbreaks of a woman navigating fame and patriarchy.
Oh! Baby (2019) — presented a fun yet thoughtful story about aging, identity, and a woman rediscovering her joy.
Bhanumathi & Ramakrishna (2020) — broke gender clichés by portraying an independent working woman with emotional honesty.
Masooda (2022) — featured strong female characters in a genre (horror) traditionally dominated by men.
Swag (2024) boldly explores a world where gender roles are reversed, turning matriarchy into a mirror for patriarchy. Through its satirical take on shifting gender identities and power structures, the film questions how society assigns value to men and women — showing that gender itself is fluid, contextual, and ever-changing.

These stories moved away from damsels-in-distress to women as thinkers, leaders, and survivors — redefining the emotional core of Telugu cinema.

🧠 Rethinking Masculinity

Gender reform on screen isn’t just about women; it’s also about men.

Indian films have long glorified the alpha male — tough, fearless, emotionally distant. But modern narratives show that vulnerability is not weakness.

In Bollywood, Dear Zindagi (2016) gave us a gentle, emotionally aware male therapist.
Telugu cinema, too, is learning to portray layered men:

Jersey (2019) showed a father torn between his dreams and responsibilities, redefining heroism as love and persistence rather than aggression.
Middle Class Melodies (2020) and C/O Kancharapalem (2018) gave us men who were real, kind, insecure, and evolving — not “mass” heroes but relatable human beings.
Tholi Prema (2018) and Ante Sundaraniki (2022) portrayed sensitive male characters learning empathy and respect in relationships.

This softening of masculinity marks an important shift — showing men not as saviors, but as partners.

🌈 Beyond Gender Binaries

Cinema is also beginning to challenge traditional gender binaries.
Films like Aligarh (2015) and Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui (2021) introduced queer identities with empathy and dignity.
Telugu cinema is slowly joining this conversation too — Vinaro Bhagyamu Vishnu Katha (2023) hinted at inclusion and emotional diversity, while indie and OTT productions are exploring gender-fluid storytelling in subtler ways.

As philosopher Judith Butler reminds us, “Gender is not something we are, but something we do.”
Each new story that explores gender beyond the binary adds to cinema’s evolving dialogue with reality.

🎥 Behind the Camera: Women Storytellers

It’s not just who’s on screen — it’s who’s behind it.
The rise of women filmmakers has changed how stories are told.

Directors like Zoya Akhtar, Meghna Gulzar, and Nandita Das in Hindi cinema, and B. Jaya, Nandini Reddy, and Sudha Kongara in South Indian cinema, bring new perspectives that challenge traditional power dynamics.

For example:

Nandini Reddy’s Oh! Baby playfully questioned how women’s value is tied to youth and beauty.
Sudha Kongara’s Soorarai Pottru (Tamil) — though male-centered — portrayed a marriage of equals and celebrated mutual respect.

When women write and direct, the female gaze often replaces the male gaze — the lens shifts from objectification to understanding.

💬 When Society Talks Back

India’s diversity shows up in its cinema too.
In the same year, one film might boldly challenge patriarchy, while another glorifies traditional gender roles.
For instance, The Great Indian Kitchen (Malayalam, 2021) questioned domestic servitude, while some commercial Telugu hits still frame women as ornamental or submissive.

This contrast reveals a nation in transition — modern yet traditional, questioning yet cautious.
But every feminist story, every emotionally aware male role, every queer representation pushes that boundary a little further.

🌟 The Road Ahead

The future of gender representation in Indian and Telugu cinema looks hopeful.
Streaming platforms like Netflix, Aha, and Prime Video have become game-changers, offering space for unconventional storytelling.
Shows like Modern Love Hyderabad and Pitta Kathalu experiment with women’s voices, sexuality, and urban relationships in fresh, honest ways.

As young storytellers rise from every region, they’re bringing new definitions of identity, love, and equality to the screen.
The change is no longer led by stars — it’s led by stories.

🎬 Final Frame

Gender and film are inseparable, because both are about perception — how we see and how we’re seen.
From Bollywood to Tollywood, Indian cinema is slowly shedding stereotypes, one frame at a time.

Every time a woman leads her own story, every time a man learns empathy, every time gender is seen as a spectrum — cinema moves closer to reality, and society moves closer to balance.

So, the next time you watch a film, look closely —
Who gets to speak? Who gets to dream?
That’s where the real story begins.

Gender Mainstreaming

Gender Mainstreaming: Making Equality the Default Setting

“Equality cannot be an afterthought; it must be the architecture.”

Have you ever noticed how policies, programmes, or even films claim to be “neutral,” but somehow end up reflecting the experiences of only one gender? That’s exactly the kind of silent bias gender mainstreaming aims to dismantle. It’s not about creating “extra” spaces for women or men—it’s about redesigning the whole system so that equality becomes built-in, not bolted on.

What is Gender Mainstreaming?

The Council of Europe defines gender mainstreaming as “the reorganisation, improvement, development, and evaluation of policy processes, so that a gender equality perspective is incorporated in all policies at all levels and at all stages.”

In simpler words: every policy, programme, or project—whether it’s in education, health, film, or transport—should be designed with both women’s and men’s perspectives in mind. It’s not enough to “add women and stir”; mainstreaming means rethinking the entire recipe.

At its heart, gender mainstreaming is about fairness. It ensures that neither women nor men are disadvantaged by policies that were unconsciously designed from one point of view.

A Brief History

The concept took shape at the Third World Conference on Women in Nairobi (1985) and became a central strategy after the Beijing Platform for Action (1995). In 1997, the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) formally adopted gender mainstreaming as a universal policy approach.

Since then, it has become a guiding framework across the United Nations, national governments, NGOs, and academic institutions to ensure that gender equality isn’t an isolated agenda—but part of the system’s DNA.

Why It Matters ?

Policies or institutions that don’t consider gender often create invisible inequalities. For example:

Urban planning may ignore the fact that women often use public transport while men are more likely to drive.
Healthcare systems may overlook women’s symptoms because most medical research has historically used male bodies as the default.
Education and media may perpetuate stereotypes that discourage girls from STEM fields or typecast women in caregiving roles.

As the Council of Europe puts it: “Decisions which do not fully take into account the needs of all final users may lead to inappropriate solutions and an inadequate allocation of public funds.”

Simply put, gender mainstreaming ensures smarter, fairer, and more effective decision-making.

The Four Pillars of Gender Mainstreaming

1. Gender Analysis

Before launching any policy or project, analyse how it affects different genders. Who benefits? Who bears the cost?
For example, in a college campus safety initiative, men and women might face different risks and use spaces differently—so both perspectives must shape the plan.

2. Gender-Responsive Planning and Budgeting

Include gender objectives, targets, and resources right from the planning stage.
For instance, gender budgeting tracks whether government funds actually advance equality rather than reinforce gaps.

3. Institutionalisation and Accountability

Gender equality shouldn’t depend on one enthusiastic individual or a “women’s cell.” It must be a collective institutional responsibility—supported by leadership, training, and policies that hold everyone accountable.

4. Monitoring and Evaluation

Evaluate impact continuously. Are both men and women benefiting equally? Have inequalities narrowed? Adjust policies based on data and feedback.

In Practice: Where Mainstreaming Happens

Gender mainstreaming can be applied everywhere—from government programmes to classroom activities.

In Governance: India’s Thematic Paper on Gender Mainstreaming in Governance (2022) highlights the need to evaluate all centrally-sponsored schemes for gender impact.
In Education: Curriculum and classroom practices can be reviewed for gender sensitivity—whether teaching materials reinforce stereotypes or offer balanced representation.
In Film and Media: As a cinephile, one can see how screenplays and character arcs often center the male gaze. Gender mainstreaming here means reimagining stories where agency, emotion, and perspective aren’t confined by gender norms.

Even a student short film competition can adopt this principle—by ensuring equal opportunities in casting, crew roles, and storylines that represent diverse gender experiences.

Challenges

Despite its noble vision, gender mainstreaming often stumbles in execution.

Tokenism: Adding “women” to a report or committee doesn’t mean the process is gender-sensitive.
Data Gaps: Many institutions lack disaggregated data to identify gender disparities.
Resistance to Change: Organisations built on traditional gender norms may resist systemic reform.
Intersectional Blind Spots: Mainstreaming must also account for how gender interacts with caste, class, ethnicity, disability, or sexuality—otherwise it risks being shallow or exclusionary.

As scholars note, mainstreaming requires “transformative change”—not just paperwork.

Bringing It Home: Gender Mainstreaming in Classrooms and Campuses

For teachers and students, gender mainstreaming can move from theory to practice in small but significant ways:

Encouraging balanced participation in discussions, leadership roles, and technical tasks.
Using examples in lessons that feature both men and women equally.
Re-examining institutional policies—such as leave rules, mentoring systems, or safety mechanisms—through a gender lens.
Promoting student film or theatre projects that consciously deconstruct gender stereotypes.

When these ideas enter the classroom, equality shifts from being a slogan to a lived experience.

A Quick Checklist for Practitioners

Before implementing any project or policy, ask:

Have both women’s and men’s perspectives been considered?
Do our goals and indicators reflect gender equality?
Are decision-makers trained in gender sensitivity?
Do we have gender-disaggregated data for monitoring?
Are there mechanisms for accountability and feedback?

If your answer to all five is “yes,” congratulations—you’re already practising gender mainstreaming.

Conclusion: From Policy to Practice

Gender mainstreaming is not a luxury or a “women’s issue.” Gender mainstreaming isn’t a slogan; it’s smart design. It’s a framework for justice, efficiency, and sustainability. When gender becomes a natural part of policy thinking, equality stops being a side-project—it becomes the system itself.

Whether drafting a college policy or writing a film script, in classrooms, offices, or film sets, gender mainstreaming invites us to ask one simple but radical question:
“Who is missing from the frame/picture—and how can we bring them into the in?”