Superstar Amitabh Bachchan while promoting his film ‘Pink’ makes a strong case for a woman’s right to say No to men making sexual advances. Souvik Ghosh reports
What does the term Pink mean to you before and after this film?
Pink is the colour that is always associated with girls. We wonder why do we associate the colour pink with girls and blue with boys. It is seen that girls are gifted with cooking utensils while the boys with motor car and this leads to discrimination. We seriously need to think about that. We have to uphold equality in the society. Many beliefs and customs in the society have been changing through many generations. Once we give positions to women in our society, we could see the wonders happening. Pink is no longer a girlish colour now but it has become a colour symbolising strength, bravery and equality. It signifies freedom and liberty for women. I think this film is going to give the taste of that freedom.
How did the ladies of Bachchan family react to the film?
They are unfortunately away from home. I will definitely show them the film as soon as they are back. May be I will put their opinions on my blog or twitter. I can tell you that their opinions will be very similar to that of the general public in the country.
How strenuous was the shooting process for all of you dealing with such an intense content?
During the shoot there were many instances when we broke down. It is because of the belief in what we were saying. If we release the making of the film in future, probably you would get an idea of what has happened on set. None of the artists shed their tears with glycerine.
Do you think the content of films like ‘Pink’ will have any impact on the society?
I do say that ‘Pink’ is no longer a film, it has become a movement. With this film we have given an opportunity to women to speak. We don’t realise what a woman goes through when she is catcalled during walking home at night or she is teased or felt publicly in awkward places. We have no idea about that. Women are scared to speak out because they feel it is embarrassing. It will be embarrassing for their families, for themselves, for the people at large. But I feel that time has come when they should not feel embarrassed.
Any incident of the shoot you want to share?
I want to narrate an incident that Taapsee (Taapsee Pannu) had said in one of her interviews. Taapsee said that she is from Delhi and used to travel in DTC buses.Every time she traveled, she was inappropriately touched in all the wrong places till the time she had started putting her hand behind the back. One day she realised that someone from the back would try to feel her and she actually caught his hand but had no courage to speak out. I think it is the pitiable condition for a woman to catch the criminal but not been able to take a stand against him. ‘Pink’ is something that speaks about standing up and facing these issues. Women are also scared to go to the police station and lodge a complaint. This film says not to be afraid. Laws are changing. Even after watching this film, a boy from Sweden said that this film is valuable for his country, as these things are happening there too. So it is also about the developed countries. I am very proud to be associated with this film.
Why did you use mask in the film?
These masks are used as training masks for long distance runners to increase their lung strength. They got this idea from runners in Kenya. I just had this mask on my hand which Shoojit (Shoojit Sarkar) saw and then asked me to use it. (TWF)
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