In this patriarchal society, there lived a woman called Rosie, who aspired to fulfill her fanciful dreams. In the society of judgmental and irrational people, Rosie wanted to express herself loud enough that it would deafen all those who questioned her identity. In the world of ritualistic confinements, she wanted to let her femininity bloom. Rosie, like every other woman, had desires and aspirations to fancy her womanhood but this society was too harsh a place for her to nurture her dreams and fantasies (and be a perfect fit in the society at the same time).
Rosie is a voice to “female fantasy” from ‘Lipstick under my Burkha’ directed by Alankrita Shrivastava which is currently hitting the Box Office’17 of Indian Cinema. ‘Lipstick under my Burkha’ is an unconventional and audacious film, clearly defying the cliché story line and definitely, fabricating a long-silenced rebellion against the vicious ‘sanskaari’ Indian society.
In the very first scene of the film, one of the lead actresses in a Burkha steals a lipstick from a small-town big-show mall, stating the title of this film in actions. The film, in all, is about the not-to-be-discussed taboos about sexual desires of women in a stereotypical Indian society and how often they are forced to suppress their reveries in the name of culture, tradition, customs, conventions and what not?
The audience may feel perplexed with the thought of a female’s identity after watching this film. All the four characters led double-lives to fulfill their wildest fantasies and simultaneously, following the conventions of a patriarchal society. But what forces them to live in two different worlds? Of course, the disapproval and trials of the society that they are forced to face every day.
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Why is it so difficult for our oppressive society to accept a woman’s fantasy and allow it some space? Nobody ever questions the identity and integrity of a man… then what encourages the male-dominated society to chain down women in the growling dust? Why does the society choose to stay shut when a man cheats on his wife but shuns a woman if she does the same? Why marital rapes are still acceptable but the same sexual demands from a woman are considered sinful and scandalous?
I think the Indian cinema took just too long to portray the right picture of an Indian woman’s struggle with herself, her emotions and society. Subsequently, the irony of the film is that the society is still not ready to gulp down such an erotic and bold message which is readily smashing a row of undaunted questions right in the face of this pseudo-male dominated civilization. No wonder why ‘Lipstick under my Burkha’ has been the most controversial film of the year!
By portraying the lives of small-town women, considering different age groups and their fantasies, the film may prove to be a women-oriented product but not with a pro- feminist view to it. ‘Lisptick under my Burkha’ is a strong voice to the subjugated women belonging to an authoritative society. Yes, I could finally hear Rosie screeching out loud, asking…
” Why does the society fear MY freedom of expressing sentiments? Why AM I stopped from living in a way I wish to? Why do I have to cover MY ‘ lipstick’ (fantasies) under MY ‘Burkha’ (pseudo-cultural society)?”
……and in return, Rosie is received with silence from the other end…. *no answer*
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