Fury over ‘mansplaining’ of film
INDIA’S film censor board has refused to certify Lipstick Under My Burkha for its sexual references and use of abusive words. A string of celebrities condemned the decision as ridiculous and the film’s director, Alankrita Shrivastava, said she was determined to ensure Indian audiences get to watch the film.
Cel e b r i t i e s, i ncl udi ng Pooja Bhatt, Farhan Akhtar and Vivek Agnihotri, spoke out against the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) decision, bringing the spotlight back on the feasibility of the censor board in India.
The film, starring Konkona Sen Sharma and Ratna Pathak Shah, chronicles the secret lives of four women of different ages in a small town in India as they search for different kinds of freedom.
A copy of the CBFC letter to the film’s producer, Prakash Jha, stated: “The story is lady-oriented, their fantasy about life. There are continuous sexual scenes, abusive words, audio pornography and a bit of a sensitive touch about one particular section of society, hence film refused.”
Shrivastava, who is in Glasgow, where the film will be screened at Glasgow Film Festival, said: “I am not defeated, disheartened or disillusioned by the CBFC’s refusal to certify Lipstick Under My Burkha. I am more determined than ever before to ensure that it can be watched by Indian audiences.
“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,” said Shrivastava.
Shrivastava said that “as a woman and as a film-maker no one can take away my voice”. “I believe the decision to refuse certification to our film is an assault on women’s rights.”
Film-maker Vivek Agnihotri tweeted: “There is no excuse for any kind of censorship. Absolute freedom of speech or nothing.”
Masaan director Neeraj Ghaywan said: “The film is being mansplained over being ‘lady-oriented’. Irony!” – IANS