Bollywood stereotypes
In the early days, directors showed physical deformity as symbolic of negative traits in a character. Back in the times of black and white films, the lecherous landowner/money lender would have an awkward gait or some other deformity. More recently, the villain or negative character has become physically subtler. Now he/she has cerebral traits, such as paranoia or psychosis. Some films have also used disability for comic effect, such as a stammering sidekick or a supporting actor who is lame.
Another strand of films representing disability features directors, such as Manoj Kumar and others, taking physical deformity to the other extreme, with good or saintly disabled characters.
- Boot Polish (India 1954 Dir Prakash Arora), features bald David, shown using a crutch in this black and white film, propagating the Utopian dream of post-Independence India. David sings to his adopted street urchins: 'Nanhe munne bache teri muthi me kya hai?' (Little children what are you holding in your fists?); and the children reply by singing:'Muthi me hai taqdeer humari/Humne kismet ko bas me kiya hai' (We are holding our destiny in our fists/we have taken our fate under control).
- Upkaar (Favour) (India 1967 Dir Manoj Kumar) has the character of the 'Good Samaritan' with an amputated leg, played by the actor, Pran. The impact of the character is more due to shock value than to any intrinsic qualities. This was probably the first time that Pran portrayed a completely positive role in his long film career as a villain.
There are numerous other films that reinforce the stereotypes about disability - from 'super-crips' to wallowing, philosophising invalids.
