Alankrita Shrivastava's take on strong, confident women – Lipstick Under My Burkha – has had to face its fair share of tribulations, but FINALLY it was released to theatres nationwide on July 21.
Most of the stress it faced before being released was due to the Censor Board, and of course its chief moron. To which the team behind LUMB gave a fitting response after receiving clearance*.
*And by clearance, I mean they were allowed to release the film with 27 cuts.
The list of cuts was released yesterday and most of them are well in inversely proportional to the film's message.
Here's everything, a little easier to read:
• Delete the dialogue “Delhi na bahut door hai ab”.
• Delete the visuals of Shirin and Rahim in market along with the dialogue "Baby doll pahle tere husn ki kone kone ki interview to le loon”.
• Delete the visuals of Shirin and Rahim in market along with the dialogue “Ek minute, ek minute kya ho gya? Hen, ye kahan se aaya. Hum laye hain”.
• Delete the visuals of Arshad and Leela along with the dialogue “Dilli ki sari setting kar li hai maine”.
• Delete the visuals of Arshad and Leela along with the dialogue “Samjha Tu”.
• Delete the visuals of Arshad and Leela kissing along with the dialogue “Tere sath tho London hi na jaon… London jane ke liye kaun kah raha hai hm?”
• Delete the visuals of Arshad and Leela kissing along with the dialogue “Zaada tashan mat dikha. Samjha”.
• Delete the visuals of Arshad and Leela talking along with the dialogue “Tu chal na mere sath… final hai.”
• Delete the visuals of Leela standing.
• Mute the word “Behenchod” and “Chutiya”.
• Delete the visual of boy making love with girl. “jor se”.
• Delete the visual of boy making love with girl. “Sorry”.
• Delete the visual of boy making love with girl. "Aye saali"
• Delete the visual of boy making love with girl. “Saali there ko… kasam se”.
• Delete the visual of boy making love with girl.
• Delete the visual of boy making love with girl.
• Delete the visuals of a girl talking on the phone about issues.
• Delete the visuals of a girl opening blouse buttons.
• Delete the visuals of a girl showing her naked back.
• Delete the visuals of a girl showing her naked back. Boy opens his pant says “aah”.
• Delete the visuals of a girl showing her naked back. Boy opens his pant says “aah”.
• Delete the visuals of boy making love with a girl.
• Delete the visuals of boy and girl kissing.
• Delete the visuals of boy and girl kissing.
• Delete the visuals of boy and girls kissing.
So in a film that focuses on the lives of amazing women being kept in check by the patriarchy, the Censor Board decided to cut out scenes that showcase them defying said patriarchy.
Hey Pahlaj, please leave.
