Lipstick Under My Burkha is Bold But Not Feminist - a must watch

Lipstick Under My Burkha is a story of four women Usha Buaji (Ratna Pathak), Rehana Abidi (Plabita Borthakur), Shireen Aslam (Konkona Sen Sharma) and Leela (Aahana Kumra) living a secret life and are in search of little freedom. As they are trapped in their lives they are unable to get what they want.

Cast & Plot

Rehana Abidi is a college girl who belongs to a Muslim family so she is a “burkha girl”. She wants to be a pop singer and idolises Miley Cyrus. Then there is Leela who is a two timing beautician lives in a small town but she is trapped in such a world where happiness is nowhere and wants to come out. Shireen is an oppressed housewife who is also a mother of three and a saleswoman and Usha is a 55-year-old widow who is somehow trying to fulfil her sexual desire through a phone romance with her young swimming coach. Each and every woman in this movie is trapped somewhere and how they come out with it through secret acts of rebellion has been described through this movie.

photo courtesy: scoopwhoop

On the other hand Shashank Arora as Dhruv, Rehana's boyfriend, Sushant Singh as Rahim Aslam, Shireen's husband, Vikrant Massey as Arshad, Leela's boyfriend and last but not least Vaibbhav Tatwawdi as Manoj, Leela's fiancé.

Controversy with Censor Board

Lipstick Under My Burkha has been a "controversial" movie since the time of release due to its contagious sexual scenes, strong words, audio pornography, a bit sensitive touch about one particular section of society. Although the film was about to release in India in January 2017, censor board refused to give a certificate considering all the above reasons.

photo courtesy: News18

Well, women power worked and finally got clearance to release, all because of FCAT (Film Certification Appellate Tribunal). More than 16 voluntary cuts were suggested post which FCAT directed the Censor Board to issue an A certificate to the movie. The film was eventually released on July 21, 2017, across 400 screens in India and has recovered more than its budget of Rs 6 crores in the first week itself.

International Accolades 

The movie has received tremendous appreciation at International Festivals like London Asian Film Festival as Best Film and Standout Performance was awarded to Ratna Pathak. The movie has notably won 11 international film festival awards even before its release in India.

photo courtesy: Twitter

Thanks to UC News we had the privilege to host an interview with Ratna Pathak Shah and Konkona Sen Sharma just before the movie release, watch the full interview in the video below:

video courtesy: UC News

Lipstick under my burka is a not just a film but the reality of modern India which is living under a double standard. Each and every performer of the movie leaves her or his mark on the audience but Konkona and Ratna Pathak are amazing to watch. Lipstick under my burka will remind you that women do have dreams as they are individuals too and how they still don’t  give up their dreams even living in a patriarchal society.

Indian society has always set rules for women. It's high time to break them.


Written by
Ayushi Sharma