Bollywood is notorious for objectifying women and recent strides in feminism in films have not done much to erase that streak. Richa Chadha, now a household name for portrayals of strong women characters on screen, says many filmmakers even today treat women as flesh.
The Gangs of Wasseypur and Masaan star spoke more generally as she clubbed sexual harassment, objectification and stereotyping of women in Bollywood, all of which she recognised as major problems.
"I was once wearing high-waist pants during a shoot," Chadha said. "And then, I was asked to show my navel."
Chadha recounted how bewildered she was by the request. After all, how does one "show their navel" while wearing high-waist pants?
And so, Chadha said, she offered to "draw" a navel on her forehead or her cheek with a marker pen.
Chadha was speaking on Day 3 of Sahitya AajTak, the three-day literature festival organised by the India Today Group in New Delhi.
She was speaking at a session titled 'Cinema aur Mahilaayein' (Cinema and Women) along with writer-director Anubhav Sinha and Vani Tripathi, a member of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
The three spoke about how Bollywood has evolved to recognise that women-centric films can and do make money at the Box Office. At the same time, the industry still grapples with certain issues such as objectification of women and sexual harassment.
#METOO
Sexual harassment of women exists everywhere and Bollywood does not exist in a vacuum: This was Richa Chadha's simple answer when asked about the recent #MeToo movement that swept many industries in India.
Chadha said that a larger problem is the treatment meted out to women who dare to speak up against their harassers.
"Look what happened to Tanushree Dutta [who accused Nana Patekar of sexual harassment]. Even when a nun protests, you question her character and celebrate her rapist," Chadha said, referring to the Kerala nun rape case. "You say women don't come forward [to formally complain against their harassers or attackers] but look what you do to those who do come forward."
Another problem, Chadha said, had to do with intent.
"Some filmmakers do not have ruchi [interest] in making films, they have ruchi in Ruchi," Chadha said. "Ruchi here being a beautiful woman."
OBJECTIFICATION OF WOMEN
Richa Chadha, Vani Tripathi and Anubhav Sinha all agreed that objectification of women remains a problem in Bollywood.
For Tripathi, the solution was simple: "Stop watching garbage. They will stop making garbage."
At the same time, Anubhav Sinha said that the Indian society mustn't be so apologetic about sexuality. Sinha defended the concept of item numbers and argued that they don't have to intrinsically objectify women.
Some filmmakers do not have ruchi [interest] in making films, they have ruchi in Ruchi
- Richa Chadha
"Some directors show garbage [when they direct item numbers], judge the director don't judge the entire concept of item numbers," Sinha said.
"When Richa Chadha spoke about how she was asked to show her navel... That was individual conduct," Sinha said.
At this point, Vani jumped in to help Sinha. "I think what Sinha is talking about and isn't able to explain clearly is that the intent [of the director or the filmmaker matters] matter."
"Yes, exactly," Sinha agreed.