Censor Board refuses certificate to film Lipstick Under My Burkha

Film Lipstick Under My Burkha is an woman oriented film and it deals with secret lives of four women. India’s film censors have declined to certify film Lipstick Under My Burkha on the ground that the film contains sexual scenes and abusive words, among other things.

Konkona Sen Sharma and Ratna Pathak Shah are playing two important characters in the film. Alankrita Shrivastava is the director of this film.

A copy of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) letter to the film’s producer Prakash Jha states: “The story is lady oriented, their fantasy about life. There are continuous sexual scenes, abusive words, audio pornography and a bit sensitive touch about one particular section of society, hence film refused.”

Film Lipstick Under My Burkha will be screened at the Glasgow Film Festival and the director of the film is presently at Glasgow. The director Alankrita Shrivastava said “I am not defeated, disheartened or disillusioned by the CBFC’s refusal to certify ‘Lipstick Under My Burkha.’ I am more determined than ever before to ensure that ‘Lipstick Under My Burkha’ can be watched by Indian audiences.”

Film Lipstick Under My Burkha won the Spirit of Asia Award at the Tokyo International Film Festival and the Oxfam Award for Best Film on Gender Equality at the Mumbai Film Festival. 
Film Lipstick Under My Burkha will also be screened at the Miami Film Festival.