EXCLUSIVE - Ratna Pathak Shah: I wasn't surprised that Lipstick Under My Burkha ran into a controversy with CBFC

The most controversial and discussed film, Lipstick Under My Burkha has finally hit the screens today. The movie is directed by Alankrita Shrivastava and stars Ratna Pathak Shah, Konkona Sensharma, Aahana Kumra and Plabita Borthakur in the lead roles. 

Recently, PINKVILLA indulged in a tête-à-tête with Ratna Pathak Shah. The veteran actor spoke about her character in Lipstick Under My Burkha, the film's run-in with CBFC and its role from the 80s to now.

Here are the excerpts from the interview:

What was your reaction when you were approached for the role?

That this is a really unusual script, it's a fantastic script and I will be an idiot to not do it.

The film has received appreciation at the International film festivals, what do you have to say about it?

A lot of things which are done globally does not happen in India always. I wasn't surprised that this kind of film was in trouble. Indie films that tend to have a different kind of stories, tend to have trouble with the release here. Particularly a film like this which is likely to have opposing reactions. Distributors tend to worry about films of these type. I wasn't surprised that the film ran into distribution issues or it got into a controversy with CBFC. But, I wasn't expecting an outright back, that's for sure. It got totally blown away and they felt to do it like that in a crude manner. I wish they were smarter, but good they weren't. We managed to get the film released, which is wonderful.

The film had a run-in with the CBFC. So, were you sure about the fact that the film will be released?

No, there's never any surety about the film of this nature whether it will be released or not. The number of films that have been completed and unreleased is phenomenal. So, there's always that danger when a person tries to make a film of this nature. The Censor thing only made that problem worse. 

How was your experience working with Alankrita and the other leads - Konkona, Aahana and Plabita?

It was a wonderful experience. We had an excellent script and a director who knew what she was doing and of course a very good cast. It was a very trusting and happy set which was required because the film has scenes which are rather difficult to shoot like street scenes and also in small spaces. Some scenes have a potent sexual connotation, those are hard scenes which are physically difficult to shoot. If there's a lack of trust between the crew and the actors, it can become extremely difficult. We were wonderfully fortunate that we had an excellent crew. We had a bunch of people that we could trust completely, there was not a single bad vibe on the set while we were shooting for these complicated things. I think that was because Alankrita and her crew knew what they were doing and ran a very happy and tight set.

Ahana and I have worked together before in plays, I knew her. Plabita, I didn't know at all. Konkona, of course, I have known, but unfortunately, we didn't have enough scenes together in the film. And now I really wish we did. They are really kind of individual stories and we didn't have much to do with each other. But we were around each other on the sets to help, comfort and chats. There was a great bonding that we managed. It is something which has got better now as we are promoting together. Newcomers and old timers usually don't matter. If people know what they are doing, then it doesn't matter how much experience you come with. It is the question of how you are able to deliver goods on the sets. 

Has the attitude of CBFC changed from the 1980s?

The Indie films even then had trouble in getting released. There are no doubts that we are facing the trouble and no alternative distribution mechanism, which I really feel we should have invested time in it. CBFC has always been creating trouble for people who are wanting to say different from what is commonly accepted. But now it seems to be getting more and more serious about enacting some kind of agenda. They definitely want to suppress some kind of films like political, films which talk about gender issues, etc. They seem to be in the spotlight and there's a conscious effort to form a gag these voices. I think it's a reflection of the immature society that we still battling about these things - what to show, see, eat, wear, whether to have a mobile phone or not. I don't see why the government or keepers of morality have to poke their nose in these issues. There are many important issues that need to be sorted out and I wish to get down to those jobs that are really important for the nation rather than keeping on worrying about who is eating beef or wearing jeans. Having said that, women have always been at more risk in the society. 

So, I don't know if there's any difference between CBFC - then and now. But it certainly is part of a plan to keep certain voices out. I find that objectionable, if you are old enough select who is going to run your country, then you should be old enough to decide what you want to see, read, wear and eat. I don't think the government has any business in poking his nose there.