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Lipstick Under My Burkha's director Alankrita Shrivastava: Films based on female sexuality were made in past, hence didn't expect any major outcry
Lipstick Under My Burkha's director Alankrita Shrivastava spoke at length about the difficulties she faced to get her film released.
Alankriti Shrivastava's Lipstick Under My Burkha has finally hit the theatres today. The film flagged the debate on female sexuality and freedom like never before. Banned by CBFC for being "too lady-oriented" to finally making it to the screens, it has been one hell of a battle indeed.
The movie starring Ratna Pathak Shah, Konkona Sen Sharma, Plabita Borthakur and Aahana Kumra has opened to excellent reviews. In a conversation with us, director Alankrita reveals the idea behind the film and spoke at length how the infamous CBFC battle was a wake-up call for her.
Excerpts of the interview:
1. How has the journey been so far given that there have been more lows than high?
Well, I think the whole film has been a long and painful journey for sure. I mean it is not just CBFC but even before that, it is really hard to make such movies in India. It has been a very difficult journey from the beginning itself. I feel that the idea of setting up a film like this in itself very challenging and it has really taken a life out of me.
2. Your infamous battle with the CBFC to finally winning the case at the Tribunal. How excruciating was this?
I think the CBFC battle per se in a sense was different. Rather than describing it as excruciating, I think for me more than anything it was a wake-up call. I realised that women are not as free to tell their stories. I felt like the freedom that is guaranteed in the Constitution of India is not real actually, if a Govt authorized body can turn around and say that we won't certify the film because it has been made from a female point of view. Somehow after this, I started to feel that film is more relevant than ever.
After all that, I become very determined and clear that I will die but I will get this film released, not just for the sake of film but because it would set a very wrong precedent that if a film is banned in India simply because it tells a tale from the point of view of a woman.
3. For a patriarchal dominant society, this idea per se was very brave. What led to this idea?
I didn't have to think so consciously about that I have to tell this from a female point of view because I am quite aware that I do have a consciously female gaze. In terms of wanting to tell this story, I just thought of these 4 characters, it wasn't much about the plot but just an idea of 4 women who are each leading these double lives. The idea emerged because I myself was exploring this feeling for freedom. I wanted to explore this idea.
4. How did you manage to get ace actors like Ratna Pathak Shah and Konkona Sen Sharma on board for the movie? How was your experience directing them?
Getting them on board was a cakewalk, they came on board as soon as they read the script. It was comparatively easy. About directing them, it was great, given the fact that they are such fine actors. Despite being such accomplished actors, they gave in completely to the process. We did a lot of workshops, they were themselves very keen on researching and doing as much as they could. So, it was a very fantastic and quirky equation we all had. Both of them in their unique ways gave more and more depth to the characters.
5. The poster which released post the CBFC battle was extremely bold and was said to be an indirect dig at the Central Board. Who was the mind behind this rebellious idea?
With ALT Entertainment presenting the film, it was their idea altogether. The idea behind the poster was to present a sense of colourful rebellion sort of a revolt. The idea was that it should be a poster that makes a statement of defiance and defies patriarchy.
6. Were you prepared to deal with all this negativity when you signed up for the movie?
No, I wasn't prepared for it at all. When I was making this film, I wanted to make for ordinary women. I thought it's fun and a colorful kind of film. I was not expecting anything of this sort. There have been films in the past which have dealt with female sexuality and sexuality per se, so I wasn't thinking that there would be any major outcry. The fact that this will blow up into this thing that CBFC would think it shouldn't be screened was not something I envisaged.
7. What would you like people to take away from the film?
I would want for people to experience the ups and downs, heartbreak, passion, dreams and defeat of these 4 women. For those two hours, if you can feel what they are going through, I think my job is done.
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