If you know me at all, you’ll know that I was keenly awaiting the arrival of this movie. The vociferous feminist in me couldn’t wait to devour what seemed from the promos like an out and out ode to Indian women and the oft underplayed concept of sexuality. I will go as far as to say that I’m glad Sir Nihalani (a Sindhi I’m not proud of) as usual tried to play dirty with his censor board antics. I think it helped create a buzz and there was an increased excitement amongst people to watch the movie – as an act of rebellion if nothing else. For this, I’m super grateful.
I caught the movie in a theatre last night and here are my unfiltered thoughts:
1. Ratna Pathak Shah is the biggest talent the Film Industry has ever seen. The woman is so convincing in her nuanced role as Buaji that you literally forget it’s a movie character. Funny I should say that since I’m obsessed with her character of Mrs Maya Sarabhai which is such a far cry from the role she essayed here.
2. Am I imagining it or has Konkana been missing for a while? It was such a pleasure to watch her on screen again. She’s the most natural actress around and my heart absolutely went out to her character.
3. The movie does seem disjointed in parts. I don’t claim to be a seasoned cinephile so maybe this was intentional and I didn’t get that, but it’s just my real girl opinion.
4. Aahana Kumra is a treat to watch on screen. I’ve never seen any of her work before and this was a great way to get introduced to the powerhouse of talent that she is.
Image Courtesy: DNA India
5. The backdrop of Bhopal added an interesting edge to the film. It also makes you realise that sitting in a metro and waxing eloquent about feminism is a very easy thing to do. The real struggle is to come from a small town or tier 2 city and actually do something outrageous, you know, “for a girl”.
6. Being a typical Indian cinema goer, I expected more closure at the end of the movie. Found it a little abrupt. Would have liked to see some vendetta and craved an ‘Aha!’ moment at the end.
7. Couldn’t be more excited about the fact that a movie has finally addressed women and their need to have sex. Matlab, go back to your books people. Maslow ne sabh samjhaya hai! SEX = BASIC PHYSIOLOGICAL NEED. Then why the fuck do you act like it’s not a woman’s right to be a sexual being?! My blood boils at the hypocrisy of it all.
8. And just in case you were wondering, age has nothing to do with it. The movie elucidates this beautifully.
9. I found the music in the movie dismal. I know it’s not a song and dance type of movie, but I think a powerful background score or song could have lifted the mood.
10. I particularly enjoyed some of the nuanced comedy. The jokes were not in your face. But then, if that’s more your thing – you’d rather go for Housefull or something.
11. Actress Plabita Borthakur who plays Rehana in the movie has done a super job and her character gave me major Jenny Humphrey vibes (Gossip Girl Reference)
Image Courtesy: KoiMoi
12. The director has done a marvellous job weaving all the stories and making them all interesting at the same time.
13. The casting is brilliant too. Even the cameos played by the male actors.
14. To be totally honest, it felt like you’re watching a play instead of a movie. I meant that in a good way because the performances were above the level we are used to seeing on the big screen. And in general Hindi cinema lacks realism.
15. Some might find it a tad slow paced but now that I’m back home and it’s sinking in, I believe the story needed that.
16. My main takeaway is that this fucking world needs to let girls live in peace. We will *all* relate to being told what to do as girls at some point in our lives. And we’re not having it anymore. SO DONE with being told if we can educate ourselves, work, earn, swim, have sex, get married, get divorced, wear jeans. No one’s fucking asking for permission, world. Get that? *Reminds self to take deep breaths*
Image Courtesy: DNA India
This is all I’m able to tell you without giving too much away.
I’ll conclude by saying it’s a must watch. You’ll never have seen anything like it. I welcome more cinema like this with open arms and an open wallet. Worth my time and money. 🙂
Kudos to the team behind Lipstick Under My Burkha!
x
Real Girl
