Prakash Jha: We are like animals fighting over food and s*x

Filmmaker Prakash Jha has always touched subjects that deal with the real issues around us. His take on earthy matters often resonates with the masses and has a good response at box office as well, unless you don’t count a few that backfired. Needless to say, Jha has quite sensible opinions too, on various social issues.

There was a time when the word ‘intolerance’ came under fire. After a lot of hullabaloo and actors being booed for using the word, it died down. But that cannot deny the fact that intolerance is indeed burning deep down in the roots, making India’s foundation jittery. And that was what Prakash Jha spoke about, in a panel discussion at the World Congress for Mental Health, recently. (Also Read: Prakash Jha’s next titled ‘Satsang’, to revolve around religion)

Jha said, “We talk about tolerance all the time, (but) no one is ready to tolerate today — not in the house, society or country. We are experiencing a different kind of society at this time.”

He further added, “I was talking to a Supreme Court judge yesterday, and we spoke about how most of the violence that the world experiences today, happens either because of food or sex.We are like animals fighting over food and sex. The only difference is that the animals don’t overeat and overindulge, but we as humans are always overeating and over-indulging.”

He also spoke about ‘Lipstick Under My Burkha’, his production that was banned by CBFC, but later released due to much furor and uproar.

“I see that it’s a very strong medium to keep the issues under discussion. Recently, we released a film called ‘Lipstick Under My Burkha’. My assistant came to me with the script, I was stunned. I saw these four women, who were experiencing the oppression of life. Male gazing in our society is thoroughly permitted — you can look under the skirt, have a half naked woman going around. From male point of view, everything is permitted. But, here (in ‘Lipstick…’), a woman wanted to stalk. It looked completely different and I thought we have to make this film. Later, our Indian censor board banned it,” Jha said.

He continued, “So, we fought with them. I was ready to release the film for free on Internet. The film has already gone to more than 60 international festivals and won 17 awards. Without having a starcast it did tremendous business in India.”

Well, we must say that he has a point. However, those with blinds on the brain seldom wish to take them off, to see sense.

Inputs from IANS

Kadambari Srivastava

Grammar Nazi, word weaver, dreamer, bibliophile, technophile, caffeine addict, foodie, shuttling shopaholic! Mash it in a Bollywood recipe and voila! Pushpa, you’ve got her!