Lipstick Under My Burkha
2017 · Directed by Alankrita Shrivastava
Original language: Hindi
- comedy
- drama
The story
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.
What it’s like
Bright, saturated colour against dusty small-town streets in Bhopal's old-city lanes: marigold yellows, pinks and deep greens, with sunlight pouring through courtyards and cramped rooms. The camera moves with a loose, observant energy, lingering on glances and hidden objects, and the cutting is quick when the four women's secret lives collide. Sound is a mix of bustling bazaar chatter, call to prayer, and a playful, upbeat score that turns tense moments into comic beats. The vibe is bittersweet satire with warm, affectionate humour: sly, lively, and sharply observant about the small indignities of daily life. It suits a lively weekend evening or an engaged watch with friends. Pacing is brisk and episodic, cycling between the four women so each gets a clear, sympathetic arc, from a young woman chafing against an arranged marriage to a widow discovering desire late in life. Sexual content is frank and present, with suggestive scenes, explicit talk, and a masturbation sequence, though nothing graphic on screen. Violence is minimal and mostly confined to a few tense, shouting confrontations. It is for viewers who enjoy sharp social comedy and stories of women quietly reclaiming their own desires.
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