PINK (Hindi)- Stars: Amitabh Bachchan, Tapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari, Andrea Tariang, Piyush Mishra: Director: Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury: Writers: Ritesh Shah (dialogue), Ritesh Shah (screenplay) & Music by Anupam Roy and Shantanu Moitra.
By Annu Kalra*
New Delhi, 14 September: It was an amazing day. I got to see a movie theatre (Delite Diamond) with old world charm and new world facilities; the glass holders in the seats are made of Brass! But more importantly, I got to see a movie made by a man, who did not miss a woman’s perspective; did not demand of her to be a ‘Sati Savitri’, in order to be considered worthy of respect. Had characters which were real, brave women feeling scared, meek women displaying aggression, weak old men being strong, well educated suave men being feudal , intellectuals being cowardly, judges displaying human emotion and much more. It displayed in a subtle manner the small acts of everyday life in which we display our mindset and courage (or lack thereof).
This is a film a lot of urban women would definitely resonate with. How often have we been chided for our work timings that do not conform to some societal norm or being inappropriately attired? The kind of baloney that is espoused and questions that are asked in order to tarnish the character of women. It is in the cross questioning provided as answers to these that the film excels. Is a woman’s smiling and talking to a man indication of her being interested in sex with him? Just because a woman has had a sexual relationship with multiple men before, does it justify every man she engages in conversation with a right to expect sex from her?
The courtroom scenes and the legal tidbits it provides are an exceptional part of the film. I would congratulate the consultant Rajeev Pandey for his excellent insights there.
Small characters like the lady SHO of Suraj Kund police station, Hamlog TV serial fame artist Vinod Nagpal, senior journalist Dibang and the actor who is the judge give exceptional performances. In fact, Piyush Mishra who is the lawyer against Amitabh Bachchan also gives a towering performance.
What inspires me more about the film is the stand it has taken. I understand the symbiotic relationship between reel life and real life. This film may have taken an issue that is currently in the minds of people and the attitudes currently afflicting the changing paradigm in society. It is in the responses to those attitudes that this film has given a heartening position; in the dialog about a woman’s right to say No and a man’s response to heeding that.Whether she is an acquaintance, a friend, a girl friend, a sex worker or even the wife!
It is imperative that we inculcate this respect for a woman’s right to say No in the minds and hearts of our boys. Of course, we need to believe in it ourselves. The fact that there are young men out there not only thinking of a woman’s identity as being one of being an object of sexual desire, but also believing that if she does not conform to their projection of being a good woman, as in drinks, wears inappropriate clothes, stays out till late, lives alone etc., she is asking for it. This film has raised this issue and addressed it. Addressed it – without a song and a dance, addressed it – by enquiring into it diligently, in a legal setting, in a modern setting,with the backdrop of a conditioned mind.
*Annu Kalra is a Delhi based Counselor and Artist. Her blog can be read at www.annukalra.com
PINK is releasing all over Australia today (16 September 2016). For all details see – www.mindblowingfilms.com
