‘Lipstick Under My Burkha’: Here’s Why Pammi Isn’t Mad at Pahlaj

Pahlaj Nihalani believes in lady-oriented films. Here’s why Pammi Kaur thinks so.

Stutee Ghosh’s alter ego Pammi Kaur writes a letter to Pahlaj Nihalani after Lipstick Under My Burkha failed to get the nod from CBFC. (Photo: The Quint)

Dear Pahlaj Nihalani ji,

Kiwen ho tussi?

I do not understand why the filmmaker of Lipstick Under My Burkha, Alankrita Shrivastava, is so upset. Yes, she has won the Oxfam Award for Best Film on Gender Equality. But she cannot blame you for being against films on women empowerment.

Laila teri le legi, tu likh ke le le. Munni badnam hui and Sheila jawan ho gayi . This goes to show how much importance you have given to women in the past. And that gandi baat is not only meant for boys.

Whenever I hear the sound of scissors I think of you.

You didn’t allow the film to release on the grounds of it being “lady oriented.” I think you played it right. The Hindi films have an age old tradition to follow. A tradition rooted in the belief: aurat pair ki juti hoti hai. Unhe sar pe na chadhao. You are the only man today who is its faithful watchdog.

The other reasons why you denied it a certificate is because it’s about “fantasy above life” and “ sexual scenes”. I absolutely agree with you. How can woman think of sex! When we know that children are gift of God. And abusive words? How dare they! All this talk of feminism I tell you....it’s ruining our daughters.

Why do women want to watch pornography when we have films like Mastizade and Great Grand Masti, that depict sex aesthetically. Coming to your last reason, the last line: “A bit sensitive touch about one particular section of the society.” It’s the best part of the letter. But between you and me, sir, what is it that you mean? Are you talking about the maskara? Hain ji?

That’s it from me. You take care.

Yours truly and very gratefully,

Parmindar Kaur

Video Editor: Kunal Mehra

Cameraperson: Sanjoy Deb

Producer: Vatsala Singh