Sutapa Sikdar talks feminism

While most know her as Mrs Irrfan Khan, Sutapa Sikdar is a talented writer in her own right. And now, she’s also turned co-producer with her husband’s new film Qarib Qarib Singlle. 

“Actually, this is the second film of my husband’s, where I’m a producer,” she interjects. “Earlier, I produced Madari. But this time, for Qarib Qarib Singlle, I must say I’ve been far more hands-on. I did everything on my own. It’s been an exhausting, but enriching experience,” says Sutapa, who had set aside her own ambitions to bring up her two sons, while Irrfan worked. 

“I guess, in a way, that makes me less of a feminist than some women would like me to be; I’m okay with that. In fact, I don’t want to be labelled a feminist. I’d rather define my own identity in a way I’m most comfortable with. I really think we need to stop stereotyping women,” she muses.

Sutapa adds, “A lot of this image-building of women is based on consumerist theories. Women who smoke, talk loudly, or abuse, are ‘liberated’. No thanks, I’m not liberated then. Size zero is not liberated; it’s anorexic.”

In Qarib Qarib Singlle, Sutapa says she’s glad to present a normal leading lady. “Parvathy, who’s opposite my husband, is a normal, healthy girl. The film has a relatable female protagonist, not some gym-produced wonder-woman. I think we need to make more movies about real characters — about people who are like us,” she asserts.