The Mardaani Problem

How Media Reinforces Stereotypes Under the Guise of Empowerment

The Illusion of Empowerment

While the odd ones have dropped in occasionally, the familiar ‘strong’ female protagonist has been around for some time; the one who would take on the society by defying conventional gender expectations. On the surface, this has always been refreshing—showcasing women in positions of power, and tackling insurmountable challenges. But in our rush to celebrate these so-called empowered women, we overlook an uncomfortable truth: many of these portrayals rely on the very stereotypes and masculine norms that women have fought to dismantle. Nowhere is this tension more apparent than in coinage like Mardaani, which, despite good intentions, reveals a troubling message about how society continues to define female empowerment.

It betrays an implicit assumption: that strength, courage, and assertiveness are fundamentally masculine traits, and for a woman to embody them, she must adopt a 'man-like' persona. This framing is more than a linguistic quirk; it underscores deep-seated societal beliefs that to be powerful, a woman must align with the 'male' standard. The Mardaani Problem, then, is not just about a single film—it’s emblematic of a broader cultural narrative that restricts female empowerment to a narrow, often masculine, model of strength.

The Language of Strength: Why 'Mardaani' is Problematic

The word Mardaani derives from mard, meaning 'man', if we don't go back to the earlier roots of mortality, and carries a connotation of being 'man-like' or possessing the qualities of a man. By calling a film about a strong woman Mardaani, the filmmakers inadvertently, or carelessly, reinforce the notion that resilience, bravery, and assertiveness are inherently male traits—qualities that women must 'borrow' or 'adopt' if they want to be taken seriously. This linguistic choice is not merely semantics; it reflects a broader cultural assumption that masculinity is the default setting for strength, and femininity is inherently incompatible with power or authority.

Such terminology doesn’t just limit women—it also narrows our collective understanding of what strength can look like. When we label qualities like courage and assertiveness as 'manly', we perpetuate the myth that women’s empowerment lies in conforming to male-dominated standards of behaviour. Instead of embracing a diverse and inclusive vision of strength, the term Mardaani subtly reinforces the idea that to be powerful, women must embody a masculine essence. The underlying message is clear: being a woman, whatever it may mean, on its own, is not enough.

Aspiring to the Power Fortress: The Trap of 'Becoming Like Men'

For generations, women have fought to shatter the glass ceilings imposed by patriarchal norms. As they break through, however, there’s an unfortunate trend: rather than redefining power, many women feel compelled to imitate the behaviours and attitudes traditionally associated with male authority. This pattern of aspirational homogenisation—where women adopt stereotypically 'masculine' traits to signal their competency and resilience—can quickly spiral from matching the field to embodying the very traits they once opposed.

The Mardaani archetype reflects this shift, suggesting that true empowerment lies in embodying the assertiveness, aggression, and toughness typically lauded in male heroes. The message is a double-edged sword: yes, women can 'do what men do,' but by holding up masculine behaviours as the ultimate measure of strength, these narratives risk erasing the value of diverse, non-masculine forms of resilience. When empowerment is defined as a near-mimicry of masculine aggression, women are left with a limited spectrum of acceptable identities—ones that are, ironically, shaped by the very power structures they sought to break free from.

The Cost of Reinforcing Masculine Norms: From Empowerment to Conformity

The irony of the Mardaani Problem lies in its missed potential. Rather than broadening the landscape of what it means to be powerful, films that celebrate women only by highlighting masculine qualities inadvertently narrow it. This conformity is not only restrictive but costly, as it perpetuates the very norms of aggression and dominance that have been problematic for generations. If we genuinely want a society that values equality, then we must reject the idea that masculinity is synonymous with strength or that ‘femininity’ must be downplayed for a woman to be respected.

Moreover, by elevating traditionally masculine traits as aspirational, such verbiage fails to recognise the strength inherent in qualities like empathy, collaboration, and resilience—traits that are equally valuable but rarely celebrated in action-oriented narratives. When the scope of strength is limited to aggression and assertiveness, we risk sending a damaging message to young girls: that they must abandon any traditionally 'feminine' qualities to be taken seriously.

The Practicality Problem: Sensible Attire and the Stiletto Trap

Adding another layer to this narrative is the way these empowered women are dressed on screen. In films like Mardaani, we finally see a female protagonist in sensible working clothes—minimal makeup, practical footwear, and functional attire. This choice is refreshing, but it also highlights a broader issue with how professional women are typically portrayed in media. Too often, films show women in high heels, flawless makeup, and impractical outfits, regardless of the demands of their role.

The stiletto trope, in particular, is emblematic of the disconnect between media portrayals and real-world practicality. In demanding professions—whether law enforcement, healthcare, or business—working long hours in heels is not only impractical but can lead to serious orthopaedic issues over time. Yet, for the sake of aesthetic appeal, movies persist in showing women balancing on stilettos, as if professionalism requires physical sacrifice.

In reality, practical clothing and minimal makeup aren’t signs of defiance or toughness; they’re logical choices that reflect the demands of a modern, active lifestyle. However, media seems reluctant to normalise such attire for women unless they’re playing a 'strong' character who breaks gender norms. This reinforces the damaging notion that a woman’s professionalism and authority must be signalled through discomfort or impracticality—a pressure rarely imposed on male characters.

Moving Forward: Redefining Empowerment and Authenticity

True empowerment does not lie in adopting the image or behaviours of those who once wielded power; it lies in reimagining what that power looks like. To move beyond the Mardaani Problem, media must celebrate female strength in its full diversity—showing that courage, resilience, and intelligence are not defined by gender, and that women do not need to embody 'masculine' traits to be powerful. This means embracing characters who are fierce and empathetic, assertive and collaborative, ambitious and compassionate.

For this shift to occur, storytellers must re-evaluate the narratives they put forth, moving beyond reductive stereotypes and instead celebrating the unique perspectives and strengths women bring to their roles. Only then can we dismantle the outdated norms of masculinity and femininity and create a media landscape where empowerment is truly equal, inclusive, and liberating.

The Slippery Slope: Moulding Oneself in the Image of One's Oppressor

The danger of aspiring to embody the traits of one's oppressor is a profound and complex issue, one that carries significant implications for both individual identity and broader societal dynamics. This slippery slope often begins with an aspirational desire to gain acceptance in traditionally male-dominated spaces, leading to a gradual erosion of one’s authentic self in favour of behaviours that align more closely with established norms of masculinity. This mirroring can create a paradox where the fight for empowerment becomes entwined with the adoption of oppressive behaviours, ultimately reinforcing the cycle of domination.

By upholding a standard that equates power with aggression, the narrative of female empowerment becomes narrow and exclusionary, potentially alienating those who embrace alternative approaches to strength. This dynamic highlights the critical need for a redefinition of empowerment—one that allows women to embrace their multifaceted identities without feeling the need to conform to a singular image of what it means to be powerful.

Importantly, the pitfalls of moulding oneself in the image of an oppressor are not limited to gender struggles; they extend across all forms of power dynamics. An oppressed employee, for instance, may find it particularly challenging to avoid becoming the same kind of manager they once had, as their understanding of power has often been shaped by oppressive experiences. In moments of stress or conflict, their default reactions may revert to the very behaviours they sought to escape, making it incredibly difficult to lead differently, despite their better awareness. Similarly, a parent who has outgrown an oppressive upbringing may struggle to resist the urge to replicate those patterns when faced with the pressures of parenthood. This slippery slope emphasizes the complexity of power dynamics: those who emerge from oppressive environments must navigate a treacherous path where the familiarity of past behaviours can easily resurface. Recognizing these challenges is essential in understanding that true empowerment lies not in the replication of harmful traits but in the conscious effort to redefine what it means to lead with integrity and authenticity, even when the odds seem stacked against them.

Beyond the Mirror

In exploring the complexities of empowerment and identity, it becomes clear that the journey towards equality is fraught with challenges that extend beyond mere access to power. The narrative surrounding women's empowerment, particularly as illustrated in terms like Mardaani, risks reinforcing damaging stereotypes by equating strength with toxic masculine traits. While the aspiration to break through barriers is commendable, the potential to inadvertently replicate oppressive behaviours highlights the importance of self-awareness and intentionality in leadership.

The dangers of moulding oneself in the image of an oppressor serve as a cautionary tale for all individuals navigating power dynamics, regardless of gender. Whether in the workplace, at home, or in broader societal roles, the temptation to revert to familiar patterns of behaviour—especially in high-stress situations—poses a significant risk to those striving for authentic leadership. It is vital that individuals emerging from oppressive environments recognise the dangers of becoming what they once resisted, as this not only perpetuates cycles of harm but also undermines the principles of equity and integrity they seek to uphold.

Ultimately, true empowerment lies in the ability to redefine strength and leadership in a way that honours one’s authentic self while rejecting the oppressive traits of the past. By fostering an environment that values collaboration, empathy, and diverse expressions of power, we can create a more inclusive landscape that benefits everyone. The challenge remains for individuals to consciously choose to lead with integrity and authenticity, paving the way for a future where empowerment is not defined by the replication of old paradigms but by the courage to forge new paths, going beyond the mirror of past behaviours.