During my childhood, I was captivated by the charming Disney princesses and their enchanting realms. They featured stories with romance, adventure, unexpected trials, and the victory of valour. Among them, Princess Jasmine from the Aladdin movie holds a particular place in my heart. However, though Agrabah, where she resides, is fictitious, some aspects of the place reminded me of Indian culture. Thus, the palace was similar to the Taj Mahal, elephants were found in the construction, while the tiger called Rajah had a title of royalty.
These little things have created a personal significance of the character for me despite the imperfect portrayal of the culture. Nowadays, I think about how many children from India need to search for traces of their culture in the stories that were not intended to represent them. Would it not be better for them to witness the story of their own princess who is based on the history of India?
Beyond Live-Action Remakes
Disney has brought several animated classics back to life through live-action adaptations, including Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Mulan, and The Little Mermaid. The casting decisions that have been made, such as casting Halle Bailey as Ariel, prove that even the fairy tales that are already familiar can give people new insights.
Nevertheless, diversity in casting is just one aspect of effective representation. Developing original characters of different cultural backgrounds is another part of the process, because doing so opens up a completely new story universe full of traditions, histories, and new perspectives. Therefore, considering its huge population and interesting diversity of languages, hobbies, and different cultural aspects, India is an excellent place for Disney to draw inspiration in order to create a new princess story.
An Indian princess could entertain audiences globally and help Indian children find pride in their own culture.
Inclusion Without Stereotypes
Simply changing a princess’s name would not solve the problem. Authentic inclusion entails more than just allowing for appearances; it offers a possibility to create things through authentic characters with intentions and legitimate goals.
Unfortunately, Indian characters are often presented in a very limited way in Western entertainment.
Disney has an opportunity to move beyond these familiar patterns. An Indian princess isn’t defined simply by her nationality, but rather by how she behaves and what decisions she makes. Involving Indian writers, artists, and historians is necessary to make sure her story is authentic, not superficial.
Here are three Indian women from history who could serve as examples for Disney.
1) Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi
Rani Lakshmibai is one of the most illustrious personalities of the revolt of 1857. As a representative of courage and military prowess, she resisted British efforts to annex the region of Jhansi and defended her territory as the rebellion unfolded. Her actions form the basis for several stories about the struggle for independence, hard work, and defending one’s people.
2) Razia Sultana
Razia Sultana ruled over the Delhi Sultanate in the 13th century. Amid the political turbulence created by influential noble families, she encountered fierce opposition to her rule. Razia Sultan brings to mind exciting elements of a royal play full of conspiracies, dramas and actions necessary for gaining the respect from the people.
3) Princess Akkadevi
Akkadevi belongs to the Chalukya dynasty of Karnataka and is famous for her military and administrative abilities. There have been legends linking her with the idea of supporting educational and religious institutions. The conclusion is that her biography can introduce fresh and unseen perspectives. The announcement sparked excitement, although a confirmed release date and detailed public updates have remained unclear. Claims about the character’s name should therefore be treated cautiously.
The possibility alone is encouraging. A thoughtfully created Indian princess could offer children more than a beautiful costume or an exotic setting.
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