Representation of Latika and Women in Slumdog Millionaire

The women in Slumdog Millionaire, especially Latika, are treated very different to the males. We can see that men and women are not equal in this society and women are inferior. Through the use of limited female characters, Latika is the only one given a name. This shows that in scenes for example with Javhed and Salim when they are sat surrounded with women dancing, they are objectified and are only there to be looked at. Other times, for example the murder of Jamal and Salim's Mother, we only see several seconds of this character and the audience are not told her name. Consequently, it is clear to the audience that the women are given poor treatment, they're objectified are inferior to men. The treatment of women throughout the film projects how men are more dominant and have control over them, this makes the women look vulnerable, Latika in particular when she tries to break out of where she is being held by Javhed and cannot break free. Using Propp's character types, Latika would be considered the Princess. This is because Jamal is always chasing after her and trying to save her from danger. This paints Latika as a damsel in distress and that women need to be protected from the outside world.



In this scene, we see Latika and Jamal spot each other in the train station, before she is chased by Salim and put into a car. Jamal tries his best to catch up to them, but they drive away as he reaches the car door, seeing Latika struggling in the backseat with a blade held up to her face. This is an example of Latika fitting Propp's character type, as Jamal is trying his best to save her from danger. The use of Salim and the gangsta's, the villains, show Latika to be very vulnerable. This is because she is never safe and is always at the edge of danger. The fact that Latika is repeatedly captured by men and forced to work for them, connotes that they are significantly higher than women and have more power over them. The fast paced editing and following camera suggests the idea of a chase and how Latika is always being watched and followed. Her traditional Indian clothing, is coloured vibrant yellow making her stand out from everyone in the crowd and Jamal's facial expression when he sees her suggests that he is taken back by her beauty. This therefore suggests how at this time in India, most women where used as objects to be looked and Jamal innocently adheres to this.


Latika and Jamal meet again for the first time as adults in her new house and are very emotional to see each other, as they cry and hold their faces. Latika soon backs away, as she realises that her husband will be back home soon. Following this, her husband is seen shouting at Latika and demanding that she "makes him a sandwich". She obeys this and it is very clear to see here that the men are treated as inferior to the women. You can see how Latika is scared of her husband and we can therefore see how she is very vulnerable in her situation, even if she is at home. Jamal is here in this scene and once again is trying to get her out of danger, demanding that he comes with here. A clear representation of Propp's Princess is therefore displayed, particularly in this scene.