Lipstick Under My Burka: Film BANNED for showing ‘sexually liberated’ Muslim women
A FILM exploring the sex lives of Muslim women has been banned after it was labelled “porn” by authorities.
Peter Whittle calls for burka ban in public places
The censor board in India, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), has pulled the plug on 'Lipstick Under My Burka' - a production about sexually liberated women.
Four women are followed for the film, in which a 55-year-old tells of how she rediscovered sex when her husband died.
Another girl, a burka-wearing student, is featured, as well as girls taking selfies and dreaming of becoming singers.
Alankrita Shrivastava's film has been banned by the film board in India
Different women feature in the film about women under religious clothing
The film opened up about the sexuality of Indian women
But India's Central Board of Film Certification suggested it borders on pornography and is lady “oriented”.
The board said: “The story is, their fantasy above (sic) life, a letter.
“There are contanious (sic) sexual scenes, abusive words, audio pornography and a bit sensitive touch about one particular section of society, hence film refused under guidelines (sic)…”
The film’s director, Alankrita Shrivastava, was left furious by the response which she claims is another example of creative freedom being quashed in the country.
Alankrita Shrivastava is the director of Lipstick Under My Burkha
For too long the popular narrative has perpetuated patriarchy by objectifying women or minimising their role in a narrative
In the past, India has cut scenes or banned films which are deemed too racy - or capable of causing upset or religious offence - including James Bond kisses.
She labelled the move an “assault on women's rights”.
'Lipstick Under My Burkha' won an award at the Tokyo International Film Festival last year and aired in the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival in October.
Shrivastava said in a statement: “For too long the popular narrative has perpetuated patriarchy by objectifying women or minimising their role in a narrative.
“So a film like 'Lipstick Under My Burkha' that challenges that dominant narrative is being attacked because it presents a female point of view. Do women not have the right of freedom of expression?”
Selfies, sex and sassy teenagers feature in the film
The director has vowed to fight the ruling.
And her supporters have taken to social media to call out the board.
Neeraj Ghaywan, a film director, wrote: “Privileged men have an issue with sexually liberated women. 'Cannot be issued' is a ban. Let's call it that.”