Listening Beyond Words: How Bollywood Can Help Build a More Deaf-Inclusive India
- Vaishali Gargg Jain
- Dec 3
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 3
In my 6+ years of development sector experience, I’ve worked closely with the deaf community for a
few of the years- and yes, I’m using the word deaf deliberately. Most deaf individuals I’ve met prefer
this term over “persons with hearing impairment,” because it affirms identity rather than deficiency.
To them, deafness isn’t a limitation - it’s a culture, a language and a shared experience.
So when I look at how Bollywood portrays deaf characters, I don’t see it as just “cinema.” I see it as a
mirror - sometimes honest, sometimes distorted- reflecting how India perceives inclusion, empathy,
and capability.
When films dared to listen differently
Back in 1972, Gulzar’s Koshish was a marvel, portraying how a deaf couple (played by Sanjeev Kumar
& Jaya Bachchan) survives in a desensitised society. It showed them communicating in sign language,
long before these were mainstream concepts. The quiet resilience with which they navigated life,
and their belief in a shared future, stood out well. In the movie, one of the most telling moments is
when a thief enters the deaf couple’s home at night and because they cannot hear the sounds of the
break-in, they remain unaware. Or there is an instance when a shopkeeper tries to cheat the deaf
female lead, assuming she won’t understand or protest because she is deaf. However, the couple’s
kind neighbour frequently helps interpret situations or warn them of dangers. His sensitivity offsets
the harshness of others around them. The film in some parts did try to drown them in pity, but I
particularly loved that it also brought out how a few empathetic individuals support make up for
the same.
Fast forward to Khamoshi (1996). Here, the spotlight shifted to the life of a hearing girl child (played
by Manisha Koirala) of deaf parents, supported by grandmother’s presence- a rare lens in Indian
cinema. The deaf father (played by Nana Patekar) wasn’t a passive sufferer, he was strong-willed and
proud - a portrayal still unusual in the 90s. His rejection of his daughter’s pregnancy and her
relationship with a boy (played by Salman Khan)- rooted in his firm religious beliefs and his
discomfort with a Hindu son-in-law from outside of Goa- reflects how deeply he holds his
convictions. I admired how the film bravely touched on religion, stigma, and pre-marital pregnancy-
acknowledging that disability doesn’t exist in isolation but within layered social realities.
Then came Iqbal (2005), a film that broke the “sympathy narrative”, again. Nagesh Kukunoor’s
direction gave us a deaf protagonist whose dreams weren’t boxed by his condition. His journey -
from a small village to the Indian cricket team- was relatable to any underdog, deaf or not. That’s
exactly how the deaf community wants to be seen- as individuals with potential, not pity. What
worked beautifully was the portrayal of intersection between disability and opportunity: how
mentorship, family backing, and peer support can unleash talent. I often wonder how powerful a
sequel set in an urban context could be- one that highlights the struggles of deaf youth in metros,
where at times, families are in denial of the deafness situation.
And then Barfi (2012) - a film that brought disability into the mainstream conversation with grace.
Ranbir Kapoor’s portrayal of a deaf, non-verbal young man from Darjeeling was endearing, layered,
and heartbreakingly human. The story didn’t revolve around his deafness but around his capacity to
love and be loved. Through his relationships- one with a non-disabled woman and another with an
autistic girl- the film revealed a truth we often ignore: society’s inability to see beyond labels. When
we focus more on someone’s limitations than their essence, we lose out on authentic connections.
Barfi reminded us that love, trust, and loyalty need no spoken language.
The modern take - diverse, bold, and imperfect
In recent years, we’ve seen a few attempts to portray deaf characters differently. Bobby Deol’s non-
verbal antagonist character Abrar in Animal (2023) - while not deaf, but mute - redefined power. He
didn’t speak, yet his presence roared. The fact that a non-verbal character could dominate the
screen so intensely marked a small but significant cultural shift - that silence, too, can be
commanding.
Manav Kaul’s role in Ajeeb Daastaans’ short film Ankahi was another step forward. Playing a deaf
photographer in a metro city, he represented a generation of deaf individuals leading independent,
dignified lives. The storyline - involving a hearing woman learning sign language for her daughter and
then developing feelings for the deaf man - subtly explored disability, love, and modern
relationships.
Why representation matters - on and off screen
Films like these, matter not just because they entertain, but because they educate - quietly,
powerfully. Every authentic portrayal chips away at the stereotypes that make life harder for real
deaf individuals. For instance, when a movie normalizes the use of sign language, it encourages
millions to see it not as “special needs,” but as a language - just like Hindi or English.
In real life, the deaf community in India has come a long way- from being perceived as “mute” to
asserting their linguistic and cultural identity. Today, you’ll find deaf accountants balancing company
books, deaf managers leading teams, deaf entrepreneurs running cafés, and yes, you may
occasionally come across a deaf ice-cream seller chatting in sign language with his customers. Yet,
many families still hide a child’s deafness out of fear of stigma. That’s where popular media can
make a difference- by normalizing what society still whispers about.
We need more films showing deaf characters living independent, fulfilling lives- not despite their
deafness, but with it. We need more directors who hire deaf consultants, more scripts that include
sign language naturally, and more schools that teach sign language, atleast the basics.
Accessibility shouldn’t be seen as charity; it should be as normal as wearing reading glasses for weak
eyesight. The day a real deaf actor takes center stage in an A-list Bollywood film will be a truly
defining moment for the deaf community.
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