Ratna Pathak Shah, Konkona Sen Sharma, Aahana Kumra, and Plabita Borthakur. Genre: Black Comedy / Drama
Lipstick Under My Burkha (2016) is a landmark Indian dark comedy-drama that unflinchingly explores the secret desires and daily rebellions of four women in small-town Bhopal. Directed by Alankrita Shrivastava, the film gained international notoriety when it was initially denied a release in India for being too "lady-oriented". Where to Watch
: Before its release, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) initially refused to certify the film, infamously labeling it as "too lady oriented" . This sparked a massive national debate on women’s agency and freedom of expression in Indian media.
"Mera sharir, meri marzi." (My body, my choice.)
Bold. Unapologetic. Unforgettable.
(2017), directed by Alankrita Shrivastava, is a vibrant yet gritty exploration of female agency and secret desires in small-town India. Google Watch Action Data
: Features academic papers analyzing the "burkha" as a motif for social and ideological constructs.