After receiving accolades worldwide, Nisha Pahuja's The World Before Her is wowing audiences in the Indian hinterland, writes Apoorva Rao
The 2012 Delhi gangrape provoked nationwide protests, triggering debates on gender issues. While the ban on Leslee Udwin's India's Daughter itself became a talking point, Canadian-Indian Nisha Pahuja's The World Before Her (TWBH) led to fervent discussion about the problems Indian women face when it comes to freedom of choice.
Focusing on the polarised worlds of two young girls – Durga Vahini member Prachi Trivedi and Ruhi Singh, a Miss India contestant – the film showcased indoctrination of young girls at Vishwa Hindu Parishad's Durga Vahini camps and the rampant objectification and atomisation of women in the glamour industry. TWBH follows Prachi's and Ruhi's journeys as they navigate the pressures and choices (or lack thereof) that come with being Indian women.
The film that won accolades worldwide is now evoking debates in India's hinterland, where Pahuja's travelling with her film this summer. "We wanted to reach places where people don't have access to such films," she says.
Pahuja has screened the film in Delhi, UP, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. "We have screened the film in smaller cities and communities, especially where the sex ratio is really low." She adds that TWBH has received mostly positive reactions at such screenings. And while audiences had different opinions about Durga Vahini camps and beauty pageants, most women found Prachi and Ruhi inspiring and relatable. Interestingly, many young Muslim girls admired Prachi. "They loved her and the way she fought with her parents for her independence." And Ruhi was looked up to for her confidence: "They loved that she had a dream, and that she went out in front of lots of people to achieve it."
The film also stirred the hearts of an unlikely audience. Pahuja spoke about how a former Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) President broke down after watching TWBH. "He was in tears after watching the film, heartbroken at what they do to these young children."
It's been a year since the film was released in India, so Pahuja talks about what the protagonists are currently up to. While Prachi Trivedi is still with the RSS, she's living life on her own terms. Ruhi Singh, meanwhile, has signed Madhur Bhandarkar's Calendar Girls.
TWBH reportedly was the highest-grossing documentary in 2014. While it didn't rankle right wing groups, Leslee Udwin's India's Daughter was not as lucky. "She (Udwin) did a good job bringing Nirbhaya to life, but she missed an opportunity to understand the mindset of a rapist," feels Pahuja.
Regarding the ban on India's Daughter, she feels that voices talking about serious issues must not be suppressed, but given space. "It is the government's duty to protect the rights of filmmakers rather than ban their films," she signs off.
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