When sex frees, and not just sells

A still from the film Lipstick Under My Burkha, in which sexuality is an overarching theme that empowers the lead characters — all women

The trailer of Alankrita Shrivastava’s Lipstick Under My Burkha is making all the right noises, with netizens appreciating it for touching on a topic that is commonly considered taboo — women and their sexuality. In recent times however, movies like Parched, Angry Indian Goddesses and Margarita With A Straw have brought this subject to the forefront.

“Patriarchy is very entrenched in our system. Women are often conditioned to put their desires and wants as secondary. So the fulfillment of a man’s desire often takes precedence. So yes, it is important for women to articulate their desires, express them and reclaim them. I think films that reflect and explore what women want, can start important conversations.” says Alankrita, the director.

“These are very sensitive subjects which require the right depiction. Margarita with a Straw portrayed sexuality in a manner that could be accepted by the middle class. It is important for cinema to address sex and women. It is important to show that women have control over their bodies and that sex isn’t just for children, a barter or something you don’t have a say in. It is surprising how regressed we are in this day and age,” says Shonali Bose, director of Margarita With A Straw.

Tannishtha Chatterjee, who acted in Parched, says that these films are an expression of how women in India are changing and expressing themselves. “There is a greater participation by women in making these films, and also, the spending power of women as audiences has increased — it is not just family-oriented films which make it at the box office. As artistes, we have to push the existing boundaries and think beyond the norm. If enough stories are told, they can have an impact.”

But why do women generally shy away from these topics “Indians do certain things in a certain way — like not indulge in PDA, etc. It is very good that such movies are being made. People of my generation were asked to follow certain moral orders. But audiences are far more open now and people discuss these movies and the topics on the internet. Filmmakers deserve the credit for being so progressive,” says filmmaker Elahe Hiptoola.

Radhika Apte, who recently acted in Parched says, “As a society, we have always alienated the subject and it’s almost considered as taboo. Films like these start the dialogue, even if it works on 10 people out of the rest, it’s a great change.” She adds, “I feel that it’s not just restricted to women, it’s worse for them but men face it too and we are all victims of it. The way it’s conveyed, audiences opt to be conservative. The only elements that can prevent it is more awareness and education.”

Dr Sharmila Mazumder, a sexologist, says that it is important for women to talk about their sexuality. “Sexual health, be it male or female, is equally important. Good sexual, mental and physical health — all three components are very important. Anything amiss and it will have an impact. Sex is like any other biological need. Women don’t talk often about sex because of our society where they are often subdued and there is lack of sex education at every level. Sex is either a joke or made to look obscene, it is never taken as a health requirement.”

— With inputs from Dyuti Basu, Pooja Salvi and Subhash K. Jha