• Review of Lipstick Under My Burkha

One of the most powerful things about the medium of film is that it is an immersive, multisensory means of exploration. Whether it be about feelings, political themes or figuring out different cultures, movies have been an incredible means of storytelling and putting you in a place or situation. 

The Daily Morning Brunch recently attended a screening of Lipstick Under my Burkha, a Hindi film directed by Alankrita Shrivastava. Released in 2017, the film tells the stories of four women living in Bhopal. Although the four women are different in age, background and personality, they share one important thing: they want the freedom to make their own choices. The main characters are Usha, Shireen, Leela, and Rehana. Each woman has dreams and desires that she cannot easily express because of the rules created by family and society.

The film deals with important subjects such as women's freedom, marriage, love, sexuality, family pressure, and personal identity. It shows the difference between how women are expected to behave and what they actually want from life. The title itself is meaningful. "Lipstick" represents freedom, confidence, and personal desire, while the "burkha" represents the restrictions placed on women by society.

The film is not only about the problems faced by women. It is also about their courage to dream and search for happiness. Through the lives of its four characters, the movie asks viewers to think about whether people should be free to make decisions about their own lives.

The screening was held on the 23 September by Safe Space Screenings at The Fearless Space. 

The story itself

The film follows four women who live in the same neighbourhood. Their lives are very different, but each of them faces some form of social or personal restriction.

Usha, played by Ratna Pathak Shah, is a middle-aged widow who is commonly called "Buaji." People around her see her as a respectable older woman who should behave in a certain way. However, she has her own romantic dreams and desires. She secretly reads a romantic novel and imagines a different life for herself.

Shireen, played by Konkona Sen Sharma, is a married woman and mother. She works as a saleswoman but hides her work from her husband. Her marriage shows the lack of freedom that some women experience in their personal relationships. Shireen wants to become independent and have control over her own life.

Rehana is a young college student who lives with conservative parents. She wants to enjoy modern clothes, music, and college life but her family expects her to follow rules that restrict her freedom and expression. 

Leela, a beautician, wants to marry the man she loves. However, her relationship is affected by family expectations and financial concerns.

The four stories gradually come together and show how each woman tries to find her own voice.

The theme of women's freedom

Women's freedom is the central theme of the film. The characters are not asking for extraordinary things but want the freedom to make choices about their own lives.

Rehana wants to dress differently and enjoy her youth. Shireen wants to work and become independent. Leela wants to choose her partner. Usha wants companionship and romance even though she is an older woman.

The film shows that freedom can mean different things to different people. It can be the freedom to work, love, dress differently, express feelings, or simply make personal decisions.

The pressure of familial and societal expectation

Another important theme is the pressure placed on women by society and family. The characters are constantly expected to behave according to traditional ideas of what a "good woman" should be.

Rehana's family wants her to follow rules about clothing and behaviour. Shireen's husband expects her to remain within the traditional role of a wife. Leela faces pressure concerning her relationship and future.

These situations show that social restrictions do not always come from one person. They can become part of everyday life and influence the choices people make.

The importance of dreaming

The film also shows that having dreams is important. Each woman has a private world that is different from the image she presents to others.

Usha's romantic imagination is especially important because people assume that older women no longer have romantic or sexual desires. The film challenges this idea by showing that people can have dreams and desires at any age.

Similarly, the younger characters want to explore their identities and discover what makes them happy. Their dreams give them hope, even when their surroundings make it difficult for them to achieve those dreams.

The cast and performance

The performances are one of the strongest parts of the film. Ratna Pathak Shah gives a memorable performance as Usha. She successfully shows both the character's humorous side and her loneliness.

Konkona Sen Sharma gives a strong performance as Shireen. Her character has many difficulties, and the actress presents these emotions in a realistic way.

Aahana Kumra, who plays Leela, brings energy and confidence to her character. Plabita Borthakur, as Rehana, effectively shows the confusion of a young woman caught between her family's expectations and her own wishes.

The four characters are different but their experiences make them relatable.

The Symbolism of lipstick under my burkha

The title Lipstick Under My Burkha is one of the most interesting aspects of the film. The lipstick can represent personal choice, confidence, beauty, and freedom. The burkha can represent the social identity or restrictions placed on a woman.

Together, the words suggest that there can be a difference between a person's public appearance and private identity. Someone may look traditional and obedient on the outside while having completely different dreams and feelings inside.

The title therefore connects closely with the main message of the movie: people may hide important parts of themselves because society does not always accept their choices.

Alankrita Shrivastava uses ordinary locations and everyday situations to tell the story. The film does not depend on a large budget or complicated action. Instead, it focuses on the characters and their experiences.

The use of colour, clothing, and personal spaces also helps show the difference between the characters' public and private lives. The direction makes the film feel personal and realistic.

Our verdict

Lipstick Under My Burkha is a film about freedom, identity, dreams, and social expectations. It tells the stories of four women who want to have greater control over their own lives. Their struggles are different, but they all face restrictions because of traditional expectations.

The film is powerful because it does not present its characters as perfect. They have weaknesses, mistakes, hopes, and fears. This makes them feel like real people rather than simple characters.

Some scenes and topics in the film may make viewers uncomfortable, especially topics regarding abuse and violence. 

Overall, Lipstick Under My Burkha is a thought-provoking film that encourages viewers to think about women's freedom and the importance of respecting individual choices. It shows that everyone, regardless of age or gender, has dreams and desires. Most importantly, the film reminds us that people should have the opportunity to live their lives with dignity and make meaningful choices for themselves.