Dark Humour in Moving Frames: A Discourse Analysis of Bollywood Black Comedies

Abstract

ABSTRACT The present study delves into the portrayal of dark humour in the Hindi films produced in Mumbai, popularly known as Bollywood films. The dark humour films of Bollywood mainly focus on prevalent social issues such as violence in the underworld, corruption, prostitution, and persistent poverty in India, while socially conscious Bollywood films have often sentimentalised these issues by depicting impoverished individuals as virtuous and hardworking. This study investigates the emerging trend of intermingling serious and comic elements in an attempt to create a more impactful narrative. While employing Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as a tool to dissect the dialogues and storylines and aiming to identify instances of humour, irony, satire, and social critique, the current study attempts to analyse two Bollywood films—Dev D (2009) and Lipstick Under My Burkha (2017). The findings highlight how these films utilise dark humour to unveil the double standards and hypocrisy prevalent in Indian society. By challenging established norms, the identity constructed through dark humour in these films seeks to provoke critical reflection and initiate social change. Through this examination, Bollywood’s evolving approach to addressing social issues becomes evident, providing insights into the power of dark humour in shaping the prevailing social context.