BHOPAL: The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has refused to clear the movie ‘Lipstick Under My Burqa’ for screening in theatres in the country saying that “The story is lady-oriented, their fantasy is above life. There are….sexual scenes, abusive words, audio pornography and a bit sensitive touch about one particular section of society, hence film refused under guidelines”.
The film, produced by Prakash Jha, revolves around four women – a burqa-clad college girl, a young beautician, a mother of three and a 55-year-old widow who rediscovers her sexuality. The film won the Oxfam Award for Best Film on Gender Equality at the Mumbai Film Festival and the Spirit of Asia Prize at the Tokyo International Film Festival. Some parts of the movie were shot in Bhopal including in the house of Bhopal-based businessman Shahrukh Khan and his sister Zeba Khan.
The city-based women feel that the movie might have erotic scenes but there are many other movies which have such scenes.
Ayushi Jain, Writer
I have not seen the film so it is difficult to comment but as per news and statements made by Alok Pandit (member of CBFC), film director Alankrita Shrivastava and producer Prakash Jha, the movie is termed as “lady-oriented” as it deals with the ups and down in the life of four ladies. According to me, when it comes to a woman, everything automatically becomes sensitive. How she dresses, how she talks to men, how she behaves at work, in outings with friends, how she deals with personal and physical problems like periods etc. People are reluctant to discuss these problems in open forums or group discussions. My question is why? Why can’t we talk about women’s physical changes and menstruation openly? Why do we still question the way she is dressed? Why every women still has the fear of being judged, leading her to hiding her problems? Prakash Jha being a talented filmmaker might have something different in his upcoming movie “Lipstick Under My Burqa”. I want to watch the movie and I hope it will be up to our expectations and will maintain the dignity of filmmakers”.
Swastika Chakraborty, Theatre Artiste
“Pathetic is the word I would like to use for the reasons given by the CBFC. Just because it is a women-oriented movie with sexual scenes and audio pornography, it has been rejected. This is hilarious and ridiculous both. I don’t know whether I should laugh or cry. I can name numerous films which were certified U/A had sexual scenes, abusive language and also objectified women, which is again against the guidelines. Why those films were not refused certification? Also, as an actor, I firmly believe in the actors and their choice of films. Renowned actresses like Konkana Sen, Ratna Pathak and producer Prakash Jha are very dignified actors and producers. I am looking forward to watching this movie once it is released in theatres and I am sure that the filmmakers will get the certification”.
Mahua Chatterjee, Theatre Artiste
“I have not seen the movie but I think if it has such scenes, it can be given U/A certification. My question is that if the movie is so bad that CBFC does not want the people to see it, how did it manage to win accolades in an international film festival and that too as best film on gender equality. CBFC has been in the news before this for all the wrong reasons. Not that we want to promote obscenity but we should consider the guidelines for every film and U/A certification is to make sure that the minors do not gets access to it.”
Medhavi Chourey, Business Woman and Image Consultant
“I have just read in newspapers about the movie and also that it has been appreciated in film festivals. There are many movies which are focussed on issues of women and specifically on topics which are not talked about. We generally avoid discussions on specific topics and when it comes to women, we have endless taboos. We avoid talking about sexuality, physical changes and sexual preferences with our family and friends because of the type of culture we have developed around us. The movie might have scenes which are not suitable. That can be taken care of. But we should not suppress the issue which the movie is trying to bring out.”
