'The World Before Her made me an anti-feminist' said Anurag Kashyap at the first look launch of the Nisha Pahuja's documentary that he is presenting
Mumbai, April, 2014:
Anurag Kashyap unveiled the first look of Nisha Pahuja's award winning film 'The World Before Her', the first documentary he is presenting. Among others who were present at the event were the Chak De director Shimit Amin and former Miss India Pooja Chopra who also features in the film slated for May 2014 release.
Anurag who turned up at the event despite being unwell spoke very passionately about why he is supporting the film, " When I saw the film and I saw so many girls training in Durga Vahini camps and Miss India Pageant i felt I know these girls. Growing up in a small town i have seen many such girls including my sister." He added, " The film stayed with me for such a long time. It changed a clot of things in me. I think this film turned me into an anti-feminist... In the sense the whole idea of gender fight is to empower you whereas men and women should just be."
He emphasised that the film should be seen by every Indian, "The film makes you feel what you are doing to women around you. That is one of the reason i felt this film should release across India and be seen by everyone. I hope this film makes the same impact in this country as it has world over because it is a film about India."
Raving about the film, Chak De director Shimit Amin said, "We are the largest movie making country and this is the most honest portrayal of what actually is happening in this country.'
Pooja who features in the film became very emotional while narrating her life story. She was an unwanted second girl child whose father wanted to get rid of her and it was her mother who left her husband and brought up both the girls on her own. "It is a heavily emotional moment for me." she said," It is my story and more than me it is my mom's story. She struggled through tough times."
Talking about why it is difficult to release documentaries in India, the writer-director Nisha said, "People think they are very boring and Doordarshan."
Pahuja thanked Anurag and Shimit for backing the film and told media how Anurag came on board, "Shimit saw the film at IFFI and sent me the most beautiful email saying 'what can I do to help you'. He suggested that I should show it to Anurag. Fortunately, Anurag loved the film so much that he decided to present it. "In a county like India where Documentaries hardly release, it would have been impossible to release it without Anurag's support."
The event was followed by a special screening of the film hosted by Anurag Kashyap.
About the film:
Set between the fascinating worlds of a Durga Vahini training camp and the beauty boot camp of the Miss India Pageant, the powerful story of women in contemporary India is the first documentary Anurag Kashyap is presenting.
The award winning film has been screened in more than 125 film festivals across the world and has won over 19 awards and distinctions including best documentary feature at the Tribeca Film Festival 2012, best Canadian Feature, 2012 Hot Docs Film Festival.
