Hegemonic masculinity is a concept in gender studies that refers to the dominant form of masculinity

in a society or culture. It is part of R.W. Connell's gender order theory, which recognizes multiple
masculinities that vary across time, society, culture, and the individual. Hegemonic masculinity is
defined as a practice that legitimizes men's dominant position in society and other marginalized ways
of being a man. It proposes to explain how and why men maintain dominant social roles over women
and other gender identities. The concept has been widely used and debated, and over the years
refined, with the basic idea that hegemonic masculinity is a culturally idealized form that functions to
include and exclude and to organize society in gender unequal ways. It combines several features: a
hierarchy of masculinities, gendered division of labour, and control of women and marginalized
masculinities. Hegemonic masculinity is sometimes used as part of a theory of change, but more
commonly is seen in terms of identifying a key element in the gender order that is part of gender
power operates at multiple levels.

The film "Animal," directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, has been criticized for its portrayal of extreme
aggression and violence, which align with the concept of hegemonic masculinity. The film explores
the themes of toxic masculinity and the consequences of a troubled father-son relationship. The
main character of the film is fixated on his father, played by Anil Kapoor. The lead character, Ranvijay
Singh, exhibits traits associated with hegemonic masculinity, such as aggression, violence, and a
strong focus on his father's approval. The film has been described as perpetuating the ideals of
hegemonic masculinity, which emphasizes the dominance of men and the subordination of women
and other gender identities. The portrayal of extreme aggression and violence in the film reflects the
perpetuation of traditional gender roles and values, contributing to the discussion of hegemonic
masculinity in the context of media and entertainment.

One specific scene from the film that illustrates hegemonic masculinity is when Ranvijay Singh
defends his father's toxic parenting style. In this scene, Ranbir's character ignores his wife
Geetanjali's (Rashmika Mandanna) needs and even threatens her with physical violence, similar to
how he mistreats other men. This scene demonstrates the prioritization of masculine relationships
over other relationships and the use of violence as a means of expression, which are both traits of
hegemonic masculinity.

The film also portrays a world where men are expected to be strong and violent, as evidenced by the
numerous action scenes and the protagonist's violent journey. Additionally, the film features a
father-son relationship that is characterized by distance and lack of communication, which further
reinforces the idea of hegemonic masculinity.

In conclusion, "Animal" serves as a prime example of how a film can explore and perpetuate the
ideals of hegemonic masculinity through its portrayal of characters, relationships, and action
sequences.

Hegemonic masculinity can significantly affect men's mental health. Research has shown that men
who adhere to the ideals of hegemonic masculinity may experience difficulties in managing personal
problems, feelings of depression, and social isolation. The pursuit of hegemonic masculinity, which
emphasizes independence and self-sufficiency, can lead to men not utilizing their social support
networks, resulting in challenges in coping with emotional distress and seeking help for mental
health issues. This can contribute to shame, embarrassment, and a reluctance to seek professional
help, leading to poor mental health outcomes, substance use, and a higher tendency towards
suicidal behavior. The concept of hegemonic masculinity has been identified as a barrier to mental
health help-seeking in men, and promoting strategies that challenge its confines and encourage men
to seek social connections and support has been suggested as a valuable approach to improving
men's mental health. The impact of hegemonic masculinity on men's mental health is a complex and
multifaceted issue that requires attention in mental health promotion and support strategies.