Film-maker Yadav tackling social conditioning and generation divide
ACTRESS Niti Taylor, pictured, has launched a personal app, and says she will be using the platform to address issues such as trolling and body shaming.
Niti launched the Niti Taylor Official App in collaboration with New York-based tech firm EscapeX.
“I have always enjoyed keeping in touch with my fans and interacting with them, but with this, we take it one step ahead since it’s so personalised,” Niti said.
“I’m hoping to keep it very interactive. I will be using this platform to address some issues about social media trolling and body shaming too,” she added.
Niti has featured in shows like Pyaar Ka Bandhan, Bade Achhe Lagte Hain and Kaisi Yeh Yaariyan. WHETHER it was about focusing on the mental conditioning that creates gender inequality in Parched or highlighting how technology is creating a generation gap with her latest project Rajma Chawal, film-maker Leena Yadav treats all her movies as opinion pieces on topics that matter to a progressive mind.
As many women are finding a voice against patriarchy, Yadav says responsible action is required to continue the change.
Asked about the constant transformation in society around gender equality, Yadav said: “Actually, Parched has come from the place of social conditioning of men and women rather than talking about gender equality.
“The way we are conditioned based on our gender is causing the discrimination… you understand that right?
“Who is the first teacher of a child? It is his/ her mother. Some of the biggest gatekeepers of patriarchy are women.
“It is equally difficult for a man to live in the society with a certain mind conditioning when he realises he is infertile. One of the reasons the character of Manoj in Parched is so violent is that he realised that he is infertile.
“Imagine the struggle and frustration they go through because they are taught masculinity in a certain way. Same things happen to women as well… so mind conditioning is the villain to blame.”
Yadav considers the influx of female filmmakers and technicians into the film industry as a positive sign.
Talking about how men are getting sensitised courtesy of the #MeToo Movement, she said: “Since shaming the victim is not there anymore, it is great to see how so many women who suffered for ages are finding their voice... It is a changing time. It is positive. But we have to be very responsible in this transformation, otherwise the whole movement can be derailed.”
Her film Rajma Chawal, an Old Delhi-set drama starring Rishi Kapoor, released on Netflix on November 30.
As the film is set in Delhi and revolves around the generation gap between two people, the city played an important role in the narration. “You see, the city itself has its own generation gap between Old Delhi and New Delhi. So after hearing the story, when we decided to develop the script, we used the generational gap in a manner that fits the mode of the narration. Very interestingly, Chandni Chowk is a place that embraces people and celebrates inclusiveness.
“Though the place was crowded and I was concerned about the shoot logistically, the locals and my team were so good that we ended up making the film together,” she added.