9th March, 2023
Sunny Super Sound, Juhu
On 9th March, 2023, to celebrate International Women's Day 2023, Population First and UNFPA, in partnership with Cine and TV Artistes Association (CINTAA) and One Life Studios, held a preview of their new documentary film, #SHOUT Directed by Vinta Nanda and produced by Gayatri Gill, Rahul Kumar Tewary, and Siddharth Kumar Tewary, the film was shot throughout India and features a wide range of voices on issues related to women and patriarchy.
The special preview of the film was held at Sunny Super Sound, Juhu, and was attended by dignitaries, panellists, and guests.
Vinta Nanda, the Director of the film , opened with a heartfelt message of appreciation for everyone involved and highlighted the importance of the film in promoting gender equality and shaping a better future for the next generation. Dr Sharada, Director, Population First, expressed gratitude to UNFPA, CINTAA and One Life Studios for their support in organizing the event and emphasized the importance of discussing sensitive topics such as violence against women during her welcome address.
#SHOUT is a feature-length documentary that explores the #MeToo movement and the history of feminism in India. The film examines patriarchy through stories of the past and present, including the self-immolation of Roop Kanwar, the gang rape of Bhanwari Devi, and the brutal murder of 8-year-old Asifa. The film also features feminist art, literature, music, and performances that place these issues in context. The preview was followed by a panel discussion and audience interaction.
The panel was moderated by Dr. AL Sharada, Director of Population First and Laadli Media Awards. The panellists included Javed Jaffrey, Heeba Shah, Rukmini Sen, Sapna Bhavnani, and Kitu Gidwani. Anuja Gulati, Program Management Specialist UNFPA, also spoke, stating that it is up to women to have a #MeToo movement every year, and that men need to be educated and have their sensibilities aroused in order for change to occur. Actor Javed Jaffrey noted that the system is the primary obstacle to progress and emphasised the importance of changing the "Woh toh ladka hai... usse toh chalega (he's a boy, excuse him) mentality."
The panellists also emphasized the need for women to speak up and fight for their rights to create a society where women can live with dignity, well-being, and achieve their full potential. The MeToo movement, which began as a hashtag on social media in 2017 and has since become a global phenomenon, was highlighted for giving women the courage to speak out about their experiences, and their stories have been heard around the world.
During the discussion, participants emphasized the importance of unity and working together to fight for gender equality. They recognized the challenges that women face, particularly when it comes to fighting battles related to gender issues.
The movie was praised for bringing the issue back into the public discourse. The participants stressed the importance of legislation to address objectification and the need to create content that avoids endorsing patriarchal beliefs.
It was also praised for its ability to bring attention to the issue of patriarchy and for giving a platform to a diverse group of voices. The film's anthem, performed by Usha Uthup, also received a great deal of praise from the audience.
Overall, the preview of #SHOUT was a success, with attendees leaving feeling inspired and hopeful for the future. The film's ability to capture the symphony of voices of Indian women and men and to explore the many social, economic, cultural, and caste divides that exist in India was particularly notable, and it is sure to be a valuable addition to the ongoing conversation about women's rights in India and beyond.