Lipstick Under My Burkha (2017), directed by Alankrita Shrivastava, is a bold, female-centric Indian film that challenges social taboos and patriarchal norms through the interwoven stories of four women in a small-town setting. Combining dark humor, realism, and unapologetic sensuality, the film foregrounds female desire, agency, and resistance against oppressive cultural structures.
Lipstick Under My Burkha (2016) – Directed by Alankrita Shrivastava, this groundbreaking Indian drama follows the secret lives of four women in small-town India as they navigate desire, ambition, and repression. Defying social norms, they find small acts of rebellion — a forbidden romance, a hidden job, a secret affair, and fantasies from erotic fiction. The film was initially denied certification by the CBFC for being “too lady-oriented,” but after public and critical outcry, it was released and went on to win awards at the Mumbai Film Festival and the Glasgow Film Festival. Praised for its honest, unflinching look at female sexuality and autonomy, Lipstick Under My Burkha became a landmark of independent Indian cinema.
The film follows four protagonists:
The movie explores themes of female empowerment, friendship, and self-discovery. As Reema and Alisha embark on their journey, they encounter several challenges and obstacles that test their relationships, marriages, and individual identities.
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Movie Overview
This is most poignantly illustrated in the character of Buaji. To her community, she is the picture of piety, a widow devoid of worldly wants. Yet, in the privacy of her room, she listens to music, wears bright colors, and immerses herself in stories of passion. Her tragedy lies in the realization that her desires are considered invalid simply because of her age and marital status. The film argues that society does not fear a woman's body as much as it fears her mind and her independence.