“Women are exploited at various levels. We need to make countless movies on the plight of women. In fact, I am planning to make a film on the girl child,” said filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker.
He was speaking on effects of cinema and media on women and children in a seminar on ‘Shifting societal trends’ organised by the National Council of Women in India (NCWI) on Sunday at the Shamrao Kalmadi High School, Erandwane.
Gowariker said the media shapes people’s opinion virtually on everything, from soaps to politics. “But we need to be vigilant about its bad influence on us. While reality does influence cinema, it does not influence reality in the same manner. It is shocking that movies made on women’s empowerment are not very successful,” he said.
Speaking on the ‘Changing role of women and girl child’, actress Pooja Bedi said, “Though all women want equality they don’t want to be tagged as westernised or feminist. The greatest challenge for the modern Indian woman is retaining her femininity.”
“Being a superwoman doesn’t mean being tough like men, or competing with men, or male bashing,” she added.
Speaking about the laws regarding women, Bedi said, “Laws are changing and becoming more stringent to help women. While there are laws to protect women, they should come together and strongly push for the speedy judicial process for getting justice in atrocities against women and children.”
Underlining the need for a strong legislation and unclogged judiciary, Bedi criticised women, who tend to misuse the law, which is made for their protection.
Later, four women from different walks of life — Savita Kumbhar, Kamal Badshah, Sushma Shastri and Chhaya Chidhrewar — who showed enormous courage while fighting odds in their lives, were felicitated with the Yashaswini award.
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