This movie may be slight boring and irritating if you are looking for entertainment. But if you like to see true picture of our Indian society this is the best movie..Director Alankrita Shrivastava disparately want to show us mirror, and thats why she has not taken 1 or 2, but chosen 4 types of woman characters and successfully portrayed.
I don't think its 50 or 60%, but most of men or woman, specifically woman, forced to live a life, imposed by our Indian society, which director bravely depicted in this movie.
Aahana, Ratna, Konkona & Plabita, played their role flawlessly, and director had very good grip on movie, all the time..
Lipstick Under My Burkha
2016 [HINDI]
Action / Comedy / Drama
Plot summary
Four ordinary women, inflicted by silly societal norms, have to steal, lie, cheat and hide in order to lead the lives that they rightfully deserve.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
November 08, 2017 at 11:22 AM
Director
Movie Reviews
A very honest and bold movie, portrayed a big population of our society effectively
A feminist film where all (or most) men characters are rotten by default, but one that raises valid points! [+62%]
There's more to like than dislike when it comes to the film 'Lipstick Under My Burkha'. The film narrates the tale of four women in a neighborhood in Bhopal.
Leela (Aahana Kumra) wants to run a honeymoon-management venture with photographer (and sexual partner) Arshad (Vikrant Massey) around the same time that she gets engaged to Manoj (the typical groom with 90s Bollywood sensibilities) leaving her in a dilemma on who to choose while going forward in life. Rehana (Plabita Borthakur) gets to portray a character that resembles the film's title - a college student who loves to wear bold designer dresses, jeans and sneakers (and of course, lipstick) under the dark burkha she dons while leaving/returning her home (her folks are in the tailoring business). Shirin (Konkona Sen Sharma) is a saleswoman by day (which her husband doesn't know of) and sex-object for her husband by night. Usha Buaji (Ratna Pathak Shah) is in her mid 50s, a matriarch known for her uprightness. She secretly engages in a horny phone- romance with a young swimming coach.
Wait, all these characters are actually different shades of 'Rosy' - the fictitious heroine of an erotic novel, read by Buaji. Or are they not? While the film raises valid points on freedom of expression (in terms of occupational aspirations, dressing styles, sexual interests or taste in music even) when it comes to womenfolk, it does so at by portraying most of the men characters as vile/rotten/insecure. Is it so hard to make a feminist film without depicting the men as scoundrels (cheating husbands, jealous and instantly-dumping boyfriends, daddies who believe their daughters should be hidden away in boxes)? I think a feminist masterpiece would take shape only when women are portrayed (holistically) on/above par with their strong-willed (and well- written) better halves. That's when you feel a sense of genuine gratification. 'LUMB' ultimately falls well short on this aspect and the climax has the feel of an under-cooked dish (symbolic of one of those 'shredded novellas').
Of all the four characters, I think I'd have to go with Shirin. Konkona induces a tinge of subtlety to her character that the viewer finds easy to empathize with, and also gets some of the best-written scenes in the film (one involving a pest-control gun). While the rest of the performances are solid on their own terms, it is the intrepid rendition of certain (though-of-as) tabooed themes that mostly strike the viewer as refreshingly good. And here's something I found quite odd. Rehana is both a 'Miley Cyrus' and 'Led Zeppelin' fan. (It almost feels like she has only listened to that one path- breaking popular song from a band and all of a sudden, started addressing them as her favorite!).
This isn't 'English Vinglish', 'Queen' or 'Parched'. Still, I'd say 'LUMB' is worth a viewing for its unabashed take on women's desires and aspirations (regardless of age), though with its own set of flaws.
Verdict: Not a must-watch, but worth checking out!
Slow & Tiring!
'Lipstick Under My Burkha' is the recent critical darling, that also rocked the box-office. Some call it shocking, some scandalous, some brave, some path-breaking. BUT for me, personally speaking, this one's a letdown! Slow & Tiring, this women-centric film boasts fine performances, but in terms of narrative, it fails to engage!
Set in the crowded by-lanes of small town India, 'Lipstick Under My Burkha' chronicles the secret lives of four women in search of a little freedom. Though stifled and trapped in their worlds, these four women claim their desires through small acts of courage and stealthy rebellion.
'Lipstick Under My Burkha' isn't a pro feminist film. Sure, its about women exploring their inner needs in a small town filled with repulsively sexist men dominating them, but it doesn't do much for Women in the end. I am a city boy, but I sense how it must feel to be these women in small towns. And that's why this film has done the business it has, because the connect value must be immense.
But, the narrative is monotonous & overlong. At nearly 2 hours, I found myself bored for the most bit. The 4 women have interesting dynamics & troubles to deal with it, but none engage all through. The film falls apart in the second-hour & the culmination is unconvincing. The first-hour has a few winning moments, but nothing stands out in particular.
Its the performances that take the cake! Konkona Sen Sharma, Ratna Pathak Shah, Aahana Kumra and Plabita Borthakur are scene-stealing good. The Ever-Terrific Ratna Pathak is heartbreakingly affecting as Bua Ji, who comes in terms with her needs in a society where an aged women is nearly alien. Konkona is equally competent as the housewife, only left to be a piece sexual pleasure by her horrifying husband. Aahana is feisty & seductive as a young-blood torn between 2 men & goes all-out in the sex-scenes. Here's a performer with genuine potential. Plabita is likable & forceful as the young soul waiting to sing & pursue her passion, despite her orthodox parents. These 4 four women give 'Lipstick Under My Burkha' the strength, that sadly the Writing Lacks.
Alankrita Shrivastava, The Writer & Director, has tappings of a fearless storyteller. But over here, it only shows in sparks. Her Writing is a tiresome exercise in monotony, that doesn't go beyond its one-liner concept. Her Direction, though naturalistic, still could've been sharper.
Given the hype around, I expected 'Lipstick Under My Burkha' to be a strong & engrossing film about Women in small towns of India. And while it is that, its also bland & tedious for the most part.