Alankrita Shrivastava: Pahlaj Nihalani made me feel like a criminal

Alankrita Shrivastava’s ‘Lipstick Under My Burkha’ is one of the most controversial films of the year. The film was denied certification by CBFC, but was later cleared by the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal. Recently, while talking about the screening that took place for Revising Committee, the director said that CBFC chief, Pahlaj Nihalani, made her feel like a criminal.

She said, “The Examining Committee was divided in its opinion, so, we approached the Revising Committee. Nihalani, who was present at the screening, made me feel like a criminal. Ideally, the CBFC committee and the director should sit across the table and discuss the concerns objectively. But, in India, your fate is declared like a judgment.”

Talking about women being objectified in the Indian society, Alankrita stated, “There’s enough sexualised content in Indian cinema, but it passes because it caters to men. Skimpily-clad women dance for men as the cameras follow their bodies, like the male gaze would. That’s the sort of content that’s a hit here. The culture we are creating is obnoxious. Even women are beginning to think as per patriarchal norms. Cinema and society work in a vicious cycle.” (Also Read: Times when ‘Lipstick Under My Burkha’ made the most rebellious noise for good)

Produced by Prakash Jha and presented by Ekta Kapoor, ‘Lipstick Under My Burkha’ will be hitting the screens on July 21, 2017.

Murtuza Iqbal

‘Eat Sleep Bollywood Repeat’ is his life Mantra. Dance is his first love and Rani Mukerji is his eternal crush. He is someone who loves being himself, and as for the ones who don’t agree, his reply? “Talk to my hand!”