Pakistan, March 22 -- Growing up in Pakistan, Bollywood was one of the most influential sources of entertainment we had access to. One idea was a constant presence in films: hyper-feminine, coy and helpless women in colorful outfits were contrasted by the dashing, strong men who were their only knights in shining armour. The sight of both dancing together in some green and pleasant land was, of course, captivating at that time and we consumed these stories with reckless abandon.

Bollywood's idea of finding the 'One' through 'love at first sight' and thereby realising the dream of love and romance, was impressed upon us from an early age, deeply affecting our understanding of what love was meant to be. Bollywood and its content was undoub...