4.1 Tara and Michelle: Do Indian Female Characters Pass The Bechdel Test?

Find out how women are represented in Indian books and films today. Kick off season 4 with a deep dive into gender and representation with Tara and Michelle! They share their favourite books and movies, and discuss what is considered problematic and what is considered inclusive today. Do our childhood favourites like Harry Potter stand the test of time? Can authors create believable characters of the opposite gender? How relevant is the Bechdel Test today? The Bechdel Test was created by American cartoonist Alison Bechdel in 1985. A book / film needs to have 3 things to pass the Bechdel Test:There are at least two women charactersThese women talk to each otherThey discuss something other than a manDo your favourite books and movies pass this test?BONUS SEGMENT: A chat with one of our biggest fans, Surabhi Geetey! 'Books and Beyond with Bound' is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D'costa of Bound talk to some of the best writers in India and find out what makes them tick. Brought to you by Bound. Read more: https://boundindia.com/books-and-beyond-podcast/ Tara Khandelwal is an editor and the founder of Bound. Michelle D’costa’s poetry and prose has been published in over 50 literary journals. Join our Whatsapp communities:PodSquad: https://chat.whatsapp.com/H853OktwN6X0tx4o6aBOTQ Writers' Circle:  https://chat.whatsapp.com/GR7577Xfx9s6kv0JzcDVGFApplications for The Bound Publishing Course 2026 are now open.The Bound Publishing Course is a 3-month intensive course on book, magazine, and digital publishing. Through live sessions, workshops, and industry-facing projects, participants gain practical publishing skills and exposure to careers across the industry.Cohort size: 50 seatsFirst round of acceptances: 15th June 2026Applications are reviewed on a rolling bas‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.