Feminist Drama 'Lipstick Under My Burkha' Denied Censor Certificate For Being 'Lady Oriented'

Prakash Jha Productions

If you thought the notoriously conservative Indian Censor Board couldn't get any worse in its decision-making, there's some news for you.

Alankrita Shrivastava's feminist drama, Lipstick Under My Burkha, which explores the sexual escapades of four women in a small town, has been denied certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

And you'll be pretty stunned on hearing the reason given to the makers for the decision.

Producer Prakash Jha and the film's director, Alankrita, were told by the CBFC that they cannot certify the film because: "The story is lady oriented, their fantasy above life. There are contentious sexual scenes, abusive words, audio pornography and a bit sensitive touch about one particular section of society, hence film refused under guidelines 1(a), 2(vii), 2(ix), 2(x), 2(xi), 2(xii) and 3(i)."

While CBFC chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani refused to elaborate on the issue (He said the decision to refuse certification was unanimous), an enraged Prakash Jha, who is the film's producer, told Mumbai Mirror, "As a country we must encourage freedom of expression but the CBFC refusing to certify films that tell uncomfortable stories discourages filmmakers from pushing the envelope."

Shrivastav said that the reason the Board doesn't want to certify her film is because it is a 'feminist film with a strong female voice which challenges patriarchy.'

The makers are now waiting for the official letter from the Revising Committee after which they'll approach the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) to secure a certificate that'll ensure a release.

People on Twitter are already calling out the Censor Board for once again suppressing the filmmaker's right to freedom of expression.

While Lipstick Under My Burkha may face censorship in India, it has already earned accolades at the Mumbai Film Festival (movies screened there do not require a Censor certificate) and at festivals abroad.

It won the Oxfam Award for Best Film on Gender Equality at MAMI while winning the Spirit of Asia award at the Tokyo International Film Festival.

Here's the film's trailer which features Konkona Sen Sharma, Ratna Pathak Shah, Aahana Kumra, and Plabita Borthakur in leading roles.

Also see on HuffPost:

6 Times Anushka Sharma Nailed It While Speaking About Censorship

(01 of06)

Yeah… because ultimately you are making a film which is an honest rendition of something that exists in our society, and there is no glorification of anything that can be objectionable.

On being asked whether the censor troubles that NH10 went through worried her, as one of the producers of the film. (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

(02 of06)

There is rage. And that is the other thing. Our rage doesn’t unleash itself because we follow the system – judiciary, police etc. So our rage is directed at the systems that don’t work. We all talk about freedom of speech and having opinions. But what is happening is that there is moral policing and people saying that I am so convinced about my opinion that I will be pissed off if you don’t agree with me. That is why we are talking about bans, and taking out material from films.

On why she thinks 'moral policing' occurs in India (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

(03 of06)

I just think there is just complete lack of compassion. When you make a film and you are told to reduce the violence. What is happening in real life is much more brutal. What we are making is much milder, and then you tell us to reduce by 30 percent? What does that mean? How do you do that?

On how she feels about the Censor Board's approach to cuts. (credit:AP)

(04 of06)

Now I know when we are reading a script or making a movie, we are going to think “Is this going to get passed?” And that’s not how you want to make movies.

On how she feels rigid censorship will affect cinema (credit:STR/AFP/Getty Images)

(05 of06)

We are breeding a 'ban mentality'. You are irritating people to the degree that it's suffocating them. We are educated people, we know what's right and what's not. Let us think for ourselves than follow a particular ideology.

When asked to describe the current climate of censorship in India (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

(06 of06)

Believe in the certification. It's there for a reason. Films depict what's there in reality.

On how she would like audiences to approach movies (credit:BCCL)

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