Disability, Deficiency, and Excess: A Cinematic Construction of Disability in Popular Odia Cinema

Abstract

Cinema for social change is not a new approach. Odia cinema, earlier known as Oriya cinema, has been intrinsically connected to the essence of Odia language and culture in the Indian state of Odisha. Since the inception of Odia cinema, it has been endeavoring to send social messages by employing visual communication for social change and development. Despite riding on the path of social and attitudinal changes, the films representing the disabled characters have raised eyebrows concerning its commitments to outcomes. As the spirit of rights activism and changing public discourses on disability on the rise, Odia cinema industry is pushed to face a decisive test. The disdain for disability in entertainment media is unraveled, and the politics of treating the disabled has become flawed. The current study has attempted to understand the cinematic construction in the light of the model, gender, identity, and societal approach towards disability issues.