If we don't speak up, it will be death of creativity: Shrivastava

Director Alankrita Shrivastava, whose film "Lipstick Under My Burkha" was not approved by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), feels that if filmmakers don't take a stand, it will be the death of creativity.

"It is not about CBFC not certifying one film. It is about them trying to silence the voices of women in particular. I will not lose hope and courage. Their attempt to subdue women's voice is not going to work....

"If we don't speak up and take a stand now and give in, it will be death of creativity," she said during a panel discussion at FICCI Frames 2017 on Thursday.

The panel discussion was about screen writers who are changing the game and also had women writers like Sanyukta Shaikh Chawla, Atika Chohan, and Rucha Pathak, Chief Executive Officer, Fox Star Studios.

Sharing her feelings while making the film, Shrivastava said: "I really wasn't expecting any opposition or this kind of backlash for 'Lipstick Under My Burkha'. I was just a making a film about ordinary women, who are secretly trying to live out their small little dreams."

She also expressed that it's not just the censor board which needs to change, but it is time for studios, exhibitors, distributors and audiences supporting the alternative narrative.

"One can point fingers at CBFC and make them villains. I think if we look at larger picture of the industry, we all are complacent. It is a systemic thing. I think exhibitors, distributors, studios and audiences, we all should work towards a popular culture, where all kind of cinema has space," she said.

--IANS

iv/nn/dg