Opinion Taylor Swift in Indian theatres: Swifties dancing is a problem, even as Salman Khan fans burst crackers

The concert movie became more than a cinematic experience; it was a journey of self-discovery, community building, and the unveiling of societal double standards

taylor swift eras concert movie patriarchy feminism

In the cultural landscape of 2023, movies like Barbie and concert films like that of Taylor Swift are thriving in spaces beyond those of the cis-het male audience. (Reuters)

November 25, 2023 11:00 AM IST First published on: Nov 25, 2023 at 11:00 AM IST

Written by Fathima Abdul Kader

On November 3, Taylor Swift’s concert movie for her Eras Tour hit theatres in India, ushering a wave of fervour online, primarily driven by her female fans. As someone who grew up in India, the absence of relatable female idols left a void when I was younger. That changed when I discovered Swift’s music, weaving stories of love, life, and heartbreak from a sensitive perspective. Her lyrics transcended backgrounds and resonated with the experiences of a young girl in a small village in Kerala, creating a connection that defied cultural and geographic boundaries.

Swift’s music accompanied me through various stages of life, from the innocence of sobbing to ‘Fifteen’ in my teenage bedroom to the exuberance of scream-singing ‘Karma’ in a theatre in Kochi with fellow Swifties as I approached my thirties. Initially, I grappled with societal perceptions that painted me as less serious for being a fangirl. But I realised later that my passion for her music could coexist with the more “serious” facets of my life.

In the cultural landscape of 2023, movies like Barbie and concert films like that of Taylor Swift are thriving in spaces beyond those of the cis-het male audience. The theatrical experience unveiled a community I didn’t know existed in my Tier II city in Kerala.

The anticipation leading up to the concert movie screening was apparent. Attending the first-day, first-show screening opened the door to a community of equally dedicated fans. From meticulously crafted outfits adorned with Swiftie references to the exchange of friendship bracelets, the camaraderie was palpable. We danced in witch circles in front of the screen for the song ‘Willow’ — the spectacle felt both magical and surreal. We screamed the lyrics of our favourite songs and wept when she performed her ballads like ‘All Too Well’.

The evening became more than a celebration of Taylor Swift’s artistry. It was also our awakening to the prevalent societal attitudes in India. In a country where extravagant displays of fandoms are commonplace, the response to female Swifties was marred by ushers asking us to stay in our seats and theatres pausing the movie multiple times to “calm down the crowds.”

While some of us were asked to go back up and sit in our seats, others were asked to stop recording themselves (this was not piracy, simply a way to record the lively crowd). The attempts to prevent us from singing along or dancing to maintain order disrupted the immersive experience of the concert movie. It was a stark reminder of the societal discomfort with women expressing unbridled passion in public spaces, a contrast to the celebrations that male fandoms often enjoyed. There have even been instances of firecrackers being set off in theatres for a Salman Khan movie.

The social media commentary around the concert videos we posted mirrored the broader societal challenges in India. The event, meant to be a celebration of music, inadvertently exposed the unease with female celebrities and their audience claiming space and challenging preconceived notions of gendered fandom.

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It was disheartening to witness the toxicity aimed at individuals simply revelling in their love for music. Fan pages and personal accounts had comments that ranged from sexist (“your parents clearly didn’t hit you while growing up”), to homophobic (“low testosterone syndrome”) comments aimed at the men who are part of the fandom. The notion that a man’s admiration for Swift equated to them being gay laid bare a misogynistic and homophobic mindset. This damaging stereotype not only limits individual freedom but also perpetuates harmful narratives about masculinity and sexuality. It reflects the ever-present resistance to shifting dynamics of gender roles in India.

The path to a just and harmonious society, therefore, requires dismantling stereotypes and embracing diverse expressions of passion, regardless of gender. Taylor Swift’s music may transcend boundaries, but our societal attitudes still have some catching up to do. Local media coverage added another layer to the unfolding narrative. In dubbing Taylor Swift as the “Women’s SRK or Rajnikanth”, they unwittingly reinforced gender stereotypes.

However, post-movie, I became part of the Kerala Swifties group, which had grown to over 130 members. It has become a hub for discussions on music, and concerts, and plans to organise events, including one for Taylor Swift’s birthday in mid-December. Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert movie essentially became more than a cinematic experience for the fans; it was a journey of self-discovery, community building, and the unveiling of societal double standards. As the Swiftie fan base continues to grow and thrive, it serves as a testament to the power of resilience in challenging discriminatory attitudes.

The screenings may be ending this week, but the tunes of ‘Shake It Off’ and ‘Fearless’ that we sang together as the Indian Swiftie fandom echo on, moving through a world of challenges posed by gendered fan culture in India, and growing through the connections we made.

Kader is a freelance lifestyle and culture writer based in Kochi