Alankrita Srivastava the director of ‘Lipstick Under My Burkha’ has finally got the “A” (adult) certification by the FCAT – Film Certification Appelate Tribunal after the CBFC- Central Board of Film Certification refused to certify it. The movie had already been screened at 35 film festivals and the film has notably earned eleven international film festival awards prior to its official release.
The CBFC rejected it on a note that it had abusive content and audio pornography where the movie displays only one section of society.
Lipstick Under My Burkha portrays the life of four Indian ladies. The story is set in Bhopal, where four women who rebel and escape their tiresome lives. Ratna Pathak Shah plays a 55-year-old widow who rediscovers her sexuality through a romantic relationship over the phone. Konkona Sen Sharma is a mother of three kids and an oppressed housewife who tries to fulfill her desires, alongside performing her daily duties as a mother and a wife. Aahana Kumra plays a young beautician who is planning to elope with her lover and Plabita is an 18-year burkha-clad college girl and an aspiring pop singer who struggles with her cultural identity.
Through the multiple dimensions of the hidden dreams and rich fantasies of these four women, the film emphasizes on the spirit of rebellion. The film is a colorful riot, defying patriarchy. It attempts to display the truth of Indian women. The film is known to be the most critical film and was planned to be released on October 26, 2016, however it failed to get the certification. The movie has finally got its release date that is July 21, 2017.
The movie will be the opening movie at the 2017 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) which is scheduled to take place from August 10 to August 22 this year. The director of the film Alankrita Srivastava is elated about the movie being the part of the fest. “It is a great honor that Lipstick Under My Burkha will be opening the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. While the film has traveled to many parts of the world, it will be screened in Australia for the first time. I am really looking forward to the reaction of the Australian audience,” Srivastava said in a statement.
“Breaking through the cacophony of mainstream Indian cinema, it is wonderful that there is an Australian film festival that highlights independent Indian cinematic voices. “Independent films are telling important stories, challenging the status quo and are important artistic expressions. I’m delighted to participate in the festival,” she added.
After going through all the leaps and bounds and overcoming all the challenges, thankfully, the intervention of the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) compelled the CBFC to grant Lipstick Under My Burkha an ‘A’ certificate. The film will now hit theatres on July 21, 2017.