Arundhathi Roy, Khushboo, human rights activists, lawyers, feminists, and students — they all appear in Nisha Ponthathil’s film Mounam Paesum Podhu (when silence speaks). “The film is an appeal to the youth to change the way they perceive women,” the film maker says. There is a reference to the popular song “Adi da avala udha da avala” to show the misogynistic approach towards women in films. “In Mounam… , the celebrities say how it is possible to portray women positively in cinema. They urge the women to say no to violence, become assertive and speak out,” says Nisha.
Nisha’s MPhil research on women characters in the works of Bengali feminist activist and writer Mahasweta Devi led her to make Mounam Paesum Podhu .
Nisha interacted with the author and visited places in Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Bihar where she interviewed people, mostly victims of violence and sexual harassment. “I researched on her short story collection Breast Stories that deal with the exploitation of women, especially in the tribal belts of North India, and generally in our country. What happens to women in Shweta Devi’s stories happens even today in women’s lives. One of her stories Draupadi draws a parallel with the story of Soni Sori, the Adivasi activist who was arrested, brutally tortured, and sexually assaulted by the police. As a research paper, my work is limited to me and my guide. That’s why I made a film on the issue to have a wider reach,” says Nisha.
She is currently doing her doctorate study on women’s issues at Karunya University.
“I discussed this idea with my filmmaker friend Gopal Menon, who has made political documentaries, including the most recent on Muzzaffarnagar riots that was screened all over the world. He came forward to mentor me and produce the film too.”
Nisha says her visit to the southern districts in Tamil Nadu was a wake up call.
“We came across extreme cases of violence against women, from foeticide and female infanticide, to child marriage, child abuse, sexual assault, rape, honour killing, dowry death, marital rape, acid attack, domestic violence, caste related violence and police atrocities on women. The film is not just a narration of helpless victims but the resisting voices of survivors, who strive for a better and safe world for women in this country. Even in urban homes, a girl child is considered a burden because of the high dowry they have to pay while marrying them off. I will be happy if this film initiates a discussion among the student community.”
Nisha draws attention to educational institutes that perpetuate patriarchal ideas. She worked as an assistant professor in a city college before quitting to make the film. “Boys and girls are not allowed to mingle. Many engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu run separate canteens for boys and girls, and they travel in separate buses. At home too, when a boy goes out no one asks any question, but when it’s a girl, she becomes accountable. Good parenting and sensitising boys at a young age is the solution. What we need is women-friendly approach to bring about a change.”
The 90-minute film shot in Tamil premiered in Chennai on December 16, Nirbhaya Day. Nisha plans to screen it in Delhi with English subtitles on Feb 14, One Billion Rising Day and later across India especially in schools and colleges.
“I want to follow it up with discussions and even if one person changes his mind in the way he treats women, I would consider that as a personal victory. Youngsters are our only hope.”
To know more, mail her at nisha.vijayan08@gmail.com
