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In our country women's sexual desire is considered anathema, but these 10 movies explore this taboo subject with panache!
In our country women’s sexual desire is considered anathema, but these 10 movies explore this taboo subject with panache!
Women’s sexuality — a topic that no one dares to explore — it is reserved only for men to talk about, explore and indulge in. A country that is still grappling with the concept of ‘consent’; recognising women’s sexual desire as an autonomous expression of sexuality, that has always been rendered invisible, slandered and denied, is still a work in progress.
Indian cinema too has long been a partner in crime in this blatant denial of women’s sexual desire. But there are a few movies that took the path less trodden, and brought out women’s sexual desire onscreen brilliantly. The women characters aced their part and did not disappoint. They were bold, they were fierce, they were sexy, they were unapologetically themselves.
Our weekly #WomenOnTheMove chat got the Twitterati talking on movies that dared to explore this taboo subject and did it with much elan and flair. Here’s what they said.
The story revolves around four women – a widow, a child bride, a woman who’s struggling to get pregnant, and a hooker. The movie brilliantly shows the tug-of-war each one of them have with their sexuality, until they claim and enjoy it.
Haven’t watched. Another fantastic movie that portrays women’s sexuality with unparalleled maturity wd be #Parched. What a film! — N (@Ann_Dee_) June 28, 2017Never miss real stories from India's women.Register Now
Haven’t watched. Another fantastic movie that portrays women’s sexuality with unparalleled maturity wd be #Parched. What a film!
— N (@Ann_Dee_) June 28, 2017
Being unabashedly herself, Priyanka Chopra in Aitraaz plays the role of a woman who knows what she wants and also knows how to get it.
I liked Priyanka Chopra´s role in Aitraaz even though it was portrayed in a negative light. The ultimate bad girl.I also like Radhika Apte — Tina Sequeira (@tinajsequeira) June 28, 2017
I liked Priyanka Chopra´s role in Aitraaz even though it was portrayed in a negative light. The ultimate bad girl.I also like Radhika Apte
— Tina Sequeira (@tinajsequeira) June 28, 2017
The sexual desires of the differently-abled that we tend to disregard is marvellously explored in this movie. The protagonist played by Kalki Koechelin explores her sexuality and doesn’t mind even trying out different sex toys to satiate her sexual desires.
‘Margarita with a straw’ had conflicting sexual desires brilliantly portrayed by the talented Kalki Koechlin @kalkikanmani. #WomenOnTheMove — Vaishali Gandhi (@vaishali178) June 28, 2017
‘Margarita with a straw’ had conflicting sexual desires brilliantly portrayed by the talented Kalki Koechlin @kalkikanmani. #WomenOnTheMove
— Vaishali Gandhi (@vaishali178) June 28, 2017
Two women — one with suppressed sexual desires and the other with unsatisfied sexual desires — start an illicit relationship that’s is soon unravelled by their husbands. But, their love for each other makes them leave the house to pursue a life together. Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das are at their acting best.
No ONE can ever beat @AzmiShabana in this foray… She was at her best epitome in portraying lesbian in FIRE. #WomenOnTheMove — Dipika (@gleefulblogger) June 28, 2017
No ONE can ever beat @AzmiShabana in this foray… She was at her best epitome in portraying lesbian in FIRE. #WomenOnTheMove
— Dipika (@gleefulblogger) June 28, 2017
Tabu plays the role of a dutiful wife to an ambitious male chauvinist husband who is a workaholic and doesn’t bother about his wife’s sexual needs. Tabu finds solace in her music teacher, develops a physical relationship and becomes pregnant.
A1: Not recent, but Astitwa was very well expressed. #Tabu was brilliant! #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/NXzOr6iBod — Tarang Sinha (@TarangSinha) June 28, 2017
A1: Not recent, but Astitwa was very well expressed. #Tabu was brilliant! #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/NXzOr6iBod
— Tarang Sinha (@TarangSinha) June 28, 2017
Vidya Balan plays the role of Vijayalakshmi Vadlapati, better known by her stage name Silk Smitha. The movie takes a hard look at the sexual underbelly of the Indian movie industry and takes into task the skewed sense of honour of the Indian society — that can watch sex, have sex but talking about sex is a taboo!
A2. Vidya Balan, Dirty Picture; Kalki Koechlin, That Girl in Yellow Boots & Death in the Gunj; Kangana Ranaut, Tanu Weds Manu Returns. — Kasturi Patra (@PatraKasturi) June 28, 2017
A2. Vidya Balan, Dirty Picture; Kalki Koechlin, That Girl in Yellow Boots & Death in the Gunj; Kangana Ranaut, Tanu Weds Manu Returns.
— Kasturi Patra (@PatraKasturi) June 28, 2017
A group of seven women celebrating womanhood and friendship and fighting misogyny in their own worlds. They lech at men, drink, smoke, wear what they want, joke about sex, use cuss words, barge into mens’ toilets, shout at street harassers, and share their life’s secrets and challenges as women.
Angry Indian Goddesses is the most recent I know of. #WomenOntheMove — Vijayalakshmi Harish (@GranthaMaven) June 28, 2017
Angry Indian Goddesses is the most recent I know of. #WomenOntheMove
— Vijayalakshmi Harish (@GranthaMaven) June 28, 2017
A wife desires her husband as much as he desires her – this is brilliantly portrayed by Aishwarya Rai in the movie Jodha Akbar.
none very good actually, but like the subtletly woth wich Jodha in JodhaAkbar is shown desiring her husband as he desires her. — Pooja Priyamvada (@PoojaSharmaRao) June 28, 2017
none very good actually, but like the subtletly woth wich Jodha in JodhaAkbar is shown desiring her husband as he desires her.
— Pooja Priyamvada (@PoojaSharmaRao) June 28, 2017
The family drama with its female protagonist, Alia Bhat, having open sexual connotation laden conversations with the men is a refreshing change.
In recent times that would be Kapoor and sons. Also Margarita with a straw though haven’t watched it yet. — Anju Jayaram (@AnjuTweets) June 28, 2017
In recent times that would be Kapoor and sons. Also Margarita with a straw though haven’t watched it yet.
— Anju Jayaram (@AnjuTweets) June 28, 2017
Devi Pathak played by Richa Chaddha is a young independent girl who likes watching porn and gets a high from the sounds of moaning and heavy breathing. Woman’s sexual agency and bodily desire is established subtly in this small detail.
A2 Richa Chadha in Massan who was unapologetic of her sexual desires #womenonthemove https://t.co/VFIFIcnDsW — Akshata (@Awestruck_Aks) June 28, 2017
A2 Richa Chadha in Massan who was unapologetic of her sexual desires #womenonthemove https://t.co/VFIFIcnDsW
— Akshata (@Awestruck_Aks) June 28, 2017
Image: You Tube
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