So Gulaab Gang is not really about Gulabi Gang or Sampat Pal. They just decided the colour pink was fetching, the lathis provocative and the idea of a gang of self-willed, rustic women commercially viable and they went for it. The intention was never to give credit where it is due. I also find it interesting that the story tellers decided to pit two women against each other as if the soap operas are not doing enough to promote the idea that women only have to get rid of each other on their way to fulfilment. In a surreal development, Pal has been ‘dethroned’ by other women in her group because they think she is becoming bigger than the movement. It is still too early to judge the film though. We will see it soon enough despite the stay order. The producers will do everything in their power to ensure that. They will insist it is about women empowerment even though they did not acknowledge the woman who inspired the film and its title.
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On Oscar night though, one young actor spoke about the character whose pain and degradation and courage ignited her spirit, inspired an unforgettable performance and brought her international success. Lupita Nyong’o’s portrayal of Patsey in 12 Years A Slave made her a global star but even during the biggest moment of her young career, she did not forget to say, “It doesn’t escape me for one moment that so much joy in my life is thanks to so much pain in someone else’s. And so I want to salute the spirit of Patsey for her guidance.”
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There was the absolutely beautiful speech by Jared Leto who starred in Dallas Buyers Club, a heart-breaking drama about AIDS set in the 80s and said after receiving an Oscar, “And this is for the 36 million people who have lost the battle to AIDS and to those of you out there who have ever felt injustice because of who you are or who you love, tonight I stand here in front of the world with you and for you.”
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Not every actor or film maker is that focussed on reality and its role in their success. Not every actor or film maker understands that success at some point must address something beyond the box-office collections. But then, commercial cinema in India atleast is never about taking an ideological stand and few female actors are expected to speak on public podiums about sexism and gender issues. It is not their job. They are just entertainers even though on screen they may play activists and feminist role models.
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And success is a hard-to-resist drug and it is hard to look beyond it. Even if it cloaks a highly questionable ethical code. And even though it was inspiring to hear the articulate Cate Blanchett mocking studio bosses for thinking women-centric films are niche and don’t make money, she went on in the same breath to thank Woody Allen for choosing her for her Oscar winning role. Yes, the same Woody Allen who is married to a woman once known as his adopted daughter and is accused of molesting another. Sure, we don’t know for sure if he is guilty of abuse but did Cate wonder about the possibility even for a moment ? Public statements about gender equality are fine but perhaps it is inconvenient to take a stand that might hamper your professional career.
Reema Moudgil has been writing for magazines and newspapers on art, cinema, issues, architecture and more since 1994, is a mother, an RJ , an artist. She runs Unboxed Writers from a rickety computer , edited Chicken Soup for The Indian Woman’s soul, authored Perfect Eight and earns a lot of joy through her various roles and hopes that some day working for passion will pay in more ways than just one. And that one day she will finally be able to build a dream house, travel around the world and look back and say, “It was all worth it.”