Hasee Toh Phasee: Did Bollywood Unknowingly Portray Autism?
Disclaimer: Article written based on research & lived experiences as a late diagnosed AuDHD woman. Bollywood, Autism & The Search for Representation When I was first diagnosed as autistic, first thing I did was diving into researching autistic representation in media—being the movie and media enthusiast that I am. I wasn’t looking for the usual stereotypical portrayals like the ones in Rain Man and Barfi—the ones that only showcase individuals on the more severe end of the spectrum. I wanted to find characters that truly reflected the vastness of autism, including those who mask so well that their struggles often go unnoticed. Like many autistic individuals, I notice things others might overlook. However, even when I understand why someone is behaving a certain way, I rarely speak up about it. Years of masking have conditioned me to stay quiet, especially when I notice things people aren’t ready to accept. Many times, what I observe makes others uncomfortable or defensive,...