Lipstick Under My Burkha: Issue is with society, not CBFC, says producer Ekta Kapoor

After fighting many battles with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the trailer of Alankrita Shrivastav’s directorial venture Lipstick Under My Burkha was released on Tuesday in Mumbai. During the film’s trailer launch, Ekta Kapoor, who will be presenting and distributing the film, said that she had no problem with the CBFC, but with the society. [caption id=“attachment_3301038” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Still from ‘Lipstick Under My Burkha’[/caption] ‘‘I have no issue with CBFC. My problem is with the society, which talks about the same thing, but in its own way. So, the CBFC is mirroring the society. We will trivialise this whole thing if we make it about CBFC. It’s a larger issue. If you talk to a woman she will give you at least five incidents in a day, five-10 in a month for sure, where she had to give proofs of being a ‘woman’, maybe at a male-dominated work place or when she has to try to come across as smarter because she is good looking,’’ Ekta said. Talking about the middle finger shown in the poster of the film, Ekta said: “The middle finger is not for the CBFC but pointed towards the patriarchal society that does not let us come out, which compels us to suppress our voice. That is why this issue is not just the CBFC’s; this issue is about ideology, it is about patriarchy.” During the press conference, the panel consisted of Ekta Kapoor, Alankrita Srivastava, Konkana Sen Sharma, Ratna Pathak Shah, Aahana Kumra and Plabita Borthakur. The film, produced by Prakash Jha, was stuck with the CBFC for six months as it revolves around four women and their sexual desires and freedom. But finally, the CBFC has passed the trailer of the film with ‘A’ certificate. Ratna Pathak Shah, who was one of the senior-most actors among the four women in the film, said the film should not be loaded with any label as it is difficult to live with, and that she did this film as she found it very interesting and funny. “Let’s not load the film down with words such as ’life changing movement’ or ’new wave’ etc., as these things, these labels, can be very hard to live with. When I saw the film, I found it extremely interesting, extremely sensitive, funny film. I enjoyed watching it and I think even the audience will do,” said the Sarabhai vs Sarabhai actress. She also addressed the issue of Goods and Services Tax (GST) by saying: “Not just lipstick, but sanitary pads should also not be taxed by the government. It’s a necessity for a woman’s hygiene.” Ekta Kapoor, too, spoke about the issue, and said, “Personally, I think the necessity of a woman cannot be taxed. Be it a choice, a need or a desire. We have to stop using words like ’that time of the month’ or other things. Say it, I have my periods. There is nothing to be shy or embarrassed about.” Konkona Sen Sharma said that sanitary pads should not be taxed under luxury goods, as they are meant for a bodily function over which women have no control. Lipstick Under My Burkha, starring Konkona Sen Sharma, Ratna Pathak Shah, Aahana Kumra, Plabita Borthakur and Vikrant Massey, has already created a great buzz among the audience. The film will be released on 21 July. (With inputs from IANS)