From Subjugation to Empowerment: Analyzing Gender Based Violence and Technology in contemporary Malayalam Cinema

In recent years, the rise of digital platforms, social media, and surveillance technologies has reshaped how gender violence is perpetrated and experienced, with technology becoming both a tool of control and a means of empowerment. This research examines the intersection of gender-based violence and technology in contemporary Malayalam cinema, specifically in the films Puthiya Niyamam (2016), Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya He (2023), and C U Soon (2020). While existing research highlights the role of technology in enabling cyberbullying, online harassment, and emotional abuse, the specific portrayal of these issues within Malayalam cinema remains underexplored. The primary research questions guiding this study include, how is technology represented as a tool for gender-based violence in Malayalam films? In what ways do the protagonists use technology to reclaim agency and autonomy? What do these cinematic portrayals reveal about the evolving relationship between gender dynamics and digital media? Using a feminist film theory framework and employing qualitative content analysis, the study analyzes how these films address the role of technology in perpetuating abuse, as well as how these films highlight strategies for resistance and empowerment. This research contributes to a broader understanding of how modern Indian cinema engages with gender violence, offering insights into the role of digital media in shaping narratives of empowerment and social change.

Keywords: Gender based violence, technology, empowerment, subjugation, Malayalam Cinema