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Talk about sexuality (from the male point of view) and we might have an open mind. But, have women talking about sexuality and our hypocritical society freezes up.
This mentality has been witnessed by Alankrita Shrivastava, director of Lipstick Under My Burkha while getting certification for her film from Central Board of Film Certification. The board denied her certification, citing that the film is “lady oriented” and has objectionable “sexual scenes”.
Lipstick Under My Burkha is a film revolving around the secret lives of four women of different ages in a small town in India as they search for different kinds of freedom, exploring their sexual fantasies. The refusal of Central Board came on the grounds of showing women in a bad light.
Now, the head of the Censor Board has had some interesting past as far as making films with sexually explicit scenes and words are concerned.
The hypocrisy in this instance lies in the fact that the same head of the Censor Board who turned it down has also produced films where he insisted on a song like this which is full of sexual implications – watch it here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pDOSg2IBGs&feature=youtu.be
I express my apologies for subjecting you to this, but the intention needed a second thought. It is not the expression of sexuality that outrages them, but the fact that here are women talking about sexuality and expressing it unabashedly. In an era when we are moving towards the balance of equality, actions like these show that we are very far from any sign of success.
“I will fight this out till the very end, and do whatever it takes because this is not about my film. The real issue is the systematic suppression of women’s voices and the throttling of freedom of expression,” says Alankrita Shrivastava, the Director.
It indeed is a slap on women’s voices.
While no one questions such expressions when its about male section of the society, but discussing it from the point of view of women is still a taboo in India. As soon as we dig into the roots of this mindset, we reveal preconceived notions of how a woman should behave and act.
There are set standards on the manners expected of women. Even the sense of liberty comes with limits imposed on them. Dress according to your choice, but there are limits on the scale of skin-show. Voice your feelings but within some parameters. As the title of Alankrita Srivastava’s film depicts – Lipstick Under My Burkha, have women talking about sexuality – sexual desires and fantasies – and it becomes inadmissible to reveal to the world. Only for women.
Though the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) has now approved the film for release with perception of empowerment and assertion of women rights. Prahalad Nihalani who has produced movies with objectionable content and songs is now trying to bring morality in cultural values and claims to serve the nation. I find that quite ironic, in the truest sense.
Why is it so hard to accept the expression of what comes naturally? Not the matter of sexual fantasies that is important, but the freedom of choice and expression to women as human.
Image source: here and here.
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People say that women are the greatest enemies of women. I vehemently disagree. It is the patriarchal mindset that makes women believe in the wrong ideology.
The entire world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. It should be a joyful day, but unfortunately, not all women are entitled to this privilege, as violence against women is at its peak. The experience of oppression pushes many women to choose freedom. As far as patriotism is concerned, feminism is not a cup of tea in this society.
What happens when a woman decides to stand up for herself? Does this world easily accept the decisions of women in this society? What inspires them to be free of the clutches of the oppression that women have faced for ages? Most of the time, women do not get the chance to decide for themselves. Their lives are always at the mercy of someone, which can be their parents, siblings, husband, or children.
In some cases, women do not feel the need to make any decisions. They are taught to obey the patriarchal system, which makes them believe that they are right. In my family, I was never taught to make decisions on my own. It was always my parents who bought dresses and all that I needed.
14 years after her last feature film Dhobi Ghat, storyteller extraordinaire comes up with her new film, Laapataa Ladies, a must watch.
*Some spoilers alert*
Every religion around the world dictates terms to women. The onus is always on women to be ‘modest’ and cover their faces and bodies so men can’t be “tempted”, rather than on men to keep their eyes where they belong and behave like civilized beings. So much so that even rape has been excused on the grounds of women eating chowmein or ‘men will be men’. I think the best Hindi movie retort to this unwanted advice on ‘akeli ladki khuli tijori ki tarah hoti hai’ (an alone woman is like an open jewellery box) came from Geet in Jab We Met – Kya aap gyan dene ke paise lete hain kyonki chillar nahin hain mere paas.
The premise of Laapataa Ladies is beautifully simple – two brides clad in the ghunghat that covers their identity get mixed up on a train. Within this Russian Doll, you get a comedy of errors, a story of getting lost, a commentary on patriarchy’s attitude towards women, a mystery, and a tale of finding oneself, all in one. Done with a mostly light touch that has you laughing and nodding along.
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