Abstract
This thesis concerns the courtship practices seen in contemporary, romantic Hindi films, with an emphasis on the romantic agency of the male protagonist. In this qualitative study, I examine eleven films with dominant romantic narratives released in the 2010s. As films and society have changed in the past 20-30 years in India, there are elements in courtship practices in these films that have changed, such as the development of close friendships between the hero and heroine before a romantic relationship is formed. Some elements in these films remain surprisingly unchanged since the 1990s, such as dominant male agency. This thesis claims that one of the most defining traits of the protagonists in contemporary films, is that they often improve themselves by the climax of the film. This shows an increased self-reflection of the romantic hero. In the films studied in this thesis, the couples often become friends before marriage, where love and respect grow. Here, there is a notable change from the films of the 1990s and earlier, where immediate physical attraction often laid the sole foundation for a romantic relationship and eventual marriage. The aim of this thesis is to give an insight into modern courtship practices in Hindi films, with a focus on how men behave towards women. I argue the importance of studying male romantic approaches to women in films, as these can inspire actions in life off-screen. With this thesis, I contribute to the yet uncharted and narrow field of male agency in forming romantic relationships in Hindi films of the 2010s.