From Silence to Assertion: A Comparative Study of Sexual Autonomy in Rihaee (1988) and Lust Stories (2018)

Abstract

Contrary to the popular perception shaped by colonial morality and Western cinematic influence, Indian culture has historically embraced a liberal and holistic view of sexuality. Ancient texts like the Kamasutra and the intricate carvings at Khajuraho temples reflect a cultural ethos where sexual autonomy was neither sinful nor silenced but seen as a legitimate part of human expression. However, colonial rule imposed a repressive moral code that labeled indigenous expressions as “vernacular” and obscured their sophistication. This paper investigates how Indian cinema, though long hesitant to depict women’s sexual autonomy, is gradually reclaiming this legacy. Focusing on Rihaee (1988) and Lust Stories (2018), the study explores how cinematic narratives engage with women’s desires and agency across rural and urban backdrops. By employing a feminist theoretical framework and close visual-textual analysis, the study explores how Indian cinema navigates the continuum from sexual repression to sexual self-realization. The methodology includes comparative film analysis, feminist critique, and contextual reading through Indian cultural history. It argues that the current cinematic reclamation of female sexual autonomy is not a radical departure, but a return to an Indian tradition that always knew the body was sacred, expressive, and political—one that was always embedded within India’s own cultural fabric.