Understanding the representation of children with disabilities in Hindi cinema
Background: Disability on Indian cinema screens is not nuanced with mixed messages. From the occasional supercrip portrayal (Hartnett) of deaf lip-readers and blind people with near sonar ability to sense objects to discourses of dependency around the pathos of disabled life, Indian cinema seemingly encompasses the range of canonical globally prevalent disability stereotypes (Pal 109). Representation of disability in movies brings forth the perception of disability in society.
Aim: This paper qualitatively examines the depiction of children with disabilities in select Hindi movies. Moreover, the politics of using children as the protagonists of the movie is also closely examined to study the acts of agency as a child with disability. This research highlights and critiques the fixation on ‘cure’ as it brings forth the understanding of disability in terms of the ‘medical model of disability’. Moreover, the presence of singing as a talent in the text presents the idea of ‘supercrip’.
Method/approach: The study uses qualitative methods, including critical examination and close reading, critical discourse analysis, along with the theoretical framework of the theory of ableism and negative imagery, to examine the politics of representation of children with disabilities, especially through the movies Earth (1998), Taare Zameen Par (2007), and Sitaare Zameen Par (2025).
Results/findings: This research highlights and critiques the fixation on ‘cure’, as it brings to light an understanding of disability through the ‘medical model of disability’. Moreover, the presence of singing as a talent in the text presents the idea of ‘supercrip’. Major themes like representation, perception, social stigma, ableist norms, and gender dynamics will be studied.
Conclusion: This research will only focus on select Hindi movies that feature the representation of children with disabilities in the Indian context and study how the larger depiction is mostly dominated by ableist norms, leading to a stereotypical representation of children with disabilities.
Implications for children and families: This research aims to raise awareness of disability and consider it as a part of human diversity.
Implications for practitioners: This research will help practitioners understand how cinema, a problematic and ableist representation, is propagated. Thus, there is a need for better dialogue and inclusive depictions that don’t stereotype children with disabilities or exclude them.
Funding: The candidate is currently availing an NFOBC Fellowship.
Keywords: ableism, children with disabilities, representation, social stigma, supercrip
This presentation relates to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: