OEDIPUS COMPLEX IN INDIAN CINEMA

  • Unique Paper ID: 184319
  • PageNo: 1893-1897
  • Abstract:
  • The Oedipus complex, first theorized by Sigmund Freud in The Interpretation of Dreams (1900), has become a cornerstone of psychoanalytic theory, explaining unconscious desires, family dynamics, and identity formation. Although originally framed within Western cultural and familial structures, its influence extends globally, shaping interpretations of literature, theatre, and cinema. Indian cinema, deeply rooted in family narratives and cultural symbolism, provides fertile ground for exploring the Oedipus and Electra complexes in a non-Western context. This paper investigates how Indian filmmakers adapt, resist, and reinterpret Freudian psychoanalysis through stories steeped in patriarchy, spirituality, and collectivist values. By examining iconic films such as Deewaar (1975), Shree 420 (1955), Lamhe (1991), and Haider (2014), the research uncovers how cinema transforms psychoanalytic themes into narratives that address intergenerational trauma, moral dilemmas, and cultural taboos. The analysis emphasizes the importance of cultural context in psychoanalytic criticism, demonstrating that Indian cinema both reflects and reshapes Freud’s ideas.

Copyright & License

Copyright © 2026 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

BibTeX

@article{184319,
        author = {Bhavya Gaba},
        title = {OEDIPUS COMPLEX IN INDIAN CINEMA},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {12},
        number = {4},
        pages = {1893-1897},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=184319},
        abstract = {The Oedipus complex, first theorized by Sigmund Freud in The Interpretation of Dreams (1900), has become a cornerstone of psychoanalytic theory, explaining unconscious desires, family dynamics, and identity formation. Although originally framed within Western cultural and familial structures, its influence extends globally, shaping interpretations of literature, theatre, and cinema. Indian cinema, deeply rooted in family narratives and cultural symbolism, provides fertile ground for exploring the Oedipus and Electra complexes in a non-Western context. This paper investigates how Indian filmmakers adapt, resist, and reinterpret Freudian psychoanalysis through stories steeped in patriarchy, spirituality, and collectivist values. By examining iconic films such as Deewaar (1975), Shree 420 (1955), Lamhe (1991), and Haider (2014), the research uncovers how cinema transforms psychoanalytic themes into narratives that address intergenerational trauma, moral dilemmas, and cultural taboos. The analysis emphasizes the importance of cultural context in psychoanalytic criticism, demonstrating that Indian cinema both reflects and reshapes Freud’s ideas.},
        keywords = {Psychoanalysis, Oedipus Complex, Electra Complex, Indian Cinema, Film Studies, Freud, Cultural Adaptation},
        month = {September},
        }

Cite This Article

Gaba, B. (2025). OEDIPUS COMPLEX IN INDIAN CINEMA. International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology (IJIRT), 12(4), 1893–1897.

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