Lipstick Under My Burkha Director on Women-Centric Films

Filmmaker Alankrita Shrivastava highlighted the persistent gender disparities in the film industry, emphasizing that there is a prevailing mindset that women-centric films face challenges in achieving the same level of success as their male-centric counterparts. The director of acclaimed projects like Lipstick Under My Burkha, Made in Heaven, Bombay Begums, Modern Love: Mumbai, etc. highlighted the unequal budget allocations between male and female actors in the industry speaking at the 10th edition of the India International Foreign Tourism Conclave (IIFTC), underscoring the need for change and equality in the world of cinema.

During a panel discussion, Alankrita Shrivastava articulated a concerning industry perception that women-centric films are often viewed as less likely to succeed compared to male-centric films. “This deeply ingrained mindset poses a significant challenge for women filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals. Also, male actors in protagonist roles tend to secure larger budgets compared to their female counterparts. This disparity in funding raises questions about fairness and the opportunities available to female talent in the industry,” said Ms. Shrivastava.

In the panel discussion titled ‘Breaking the Glass Ceiling,’ the director advocated for fair and equitable representation of women in filmmaking to enable them to break the glass ceiling and create a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable industry. Dr Bhuvan Lall moderated the panel which also had director Leena Yadav, Director Nupur Asthana, Film Commissioner Zuzana Bielikova of Slovak Film Commission, and Bushra Mahdi, Founder of Red Films. All the filmmakers shared practical suggestions and actionable insights emerging from their past experiences.

The evening was the first day of the 3-day mega film tourism event featuring over 50 international companies from over 20 countries coming to Bollywood, Mumbai to woo Indian filmmakers. The event saw participation from countries including Azerbaijan, South Africa, USA, Spain, Lithuania, Kenya, Canada, France, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Serbia, UK, Australia, Uzbekistan, Bulgaria, Netherlands, and Ukraine to name a few.