Unpacking why redefining masculinity matter more than ever in modern media

What does it mean to "be a man" today? With the media shaping how we see masculinity today, we try to understand if it's finally helping us move past outdated stereotypes.

Back in the 80s and 90s, Bollywood was the cultural glue that brought people together even though we admit that the way men and women were shown on screen was a bit, well, questionable. Women were either the perfect sanskari girls or the ultimate victims whose suffering fueled a movie's plot while men were always angry young guys with a superhero complex or the ultimate charmers. And don't even get us started on the “persistence = romance” trope. 

Sure, people also connected with these stories because they reflected society's idea of gender roles. Although we would have imagined that things evolved over the years, we still get the occasional cringe-worthy stereotypes in modern content. And when we finally see a well-written male character—someone who’s vulnerable, self-aware, and doesn’t act like a walking testosterone machine—we are head over heels in love with them. Like, wow, men can have emotions and be decent humans? Who knew?

Also Read: Men written by women FTW: Creators share their take

Any generation glued to screens is prone to soak up content like sponges making it important for stories to call out problematic behavior and help them understand the wrong. Considering the number of platforms and storytellers that are part of our lives, why do we still find it difficult to find characters we can admire without cringing? 

Today, the internet is where we all go for advice. As a woman, I’ve often felt seen and heard when other women share their experiences and tips on different topics. I especially love reading through comment sections where older women drop their wholesome life advice for younger ones. But when it comes to men, we rarely see such content or conversations. Discussions about masculinity and what it really means to be a man don’t get much attention in pop culture or even on social media. It's this fact that we find it shocking when we come across a confident, kind, and non-problematic man online. That's exactly why shows like Yuvaa's Be a Man Yaar! feel like a breath of fresh air. With how the complex men's issues are represented the show effectively sparks conversations about masculinity highlighting what it truly means to be a man, making it a compelling watch.

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Remember how we all loved Abhishek's character in Panchayat? Even though he is not the typical, confident hero we’re used to seeing, he's just a regular guy trying to figure things out, which makes him very relatable. Thankfully YouTube and OTT shows are doing a much better job showing more real, complex male characters and the audiences are eager to see it. These portrayals are a far cry from the macho, one-dimensional male characters of the past, reflecting the complexities of real-life men. These platforms are also leading the charge by creating dedicated discussions around men’s mental health, identity, and the changing notion of masculinity, all of which are long overdue conversations. On a global scale, podcasts like The Man Enough Podcast, hosted by filmmaker, actor, and author Justin Baldoni, bring people together to engage in discussions that challenge polarized views about gender. Instead of feeding into divisiveness, these platforms and discussions open doors to new conversations about vulnerability, emotional intelligence, and growth. While these are just a few examples it's a refreshing change that is essential for both men and women to understand the complexities of modern identities. 

While it’s great that these conversations about better male representation and breaking stereotypes are happening, we still have a long way to go before they become mainstream and part of our everyday media culture. On a broader scale, traditional media often falls back on outdated tropes because they’re easier to sell and more familiar to audiences. Changing that mindset takes time and consistent effort. Although niche, few platforms are creating safe spaces for these discussions. There are still countless hyper-masculine, one-dimensional characters dominating screens. The real goal is to make these important conversations the norm, not the exception. We understand that it’s a marathon and not a sprint. While we’re making progress, real change will require a collective effort from creators, audiences, and platforms.

What are some outdated male stereotypes you think need to go for good? Tell us in the comments below

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