Nandita Das to favour equal rights for women

On International Women’s Day, Odisha’s very own Nandita Das says that though she wants to believe she is a humanist, seeing the way many women suffer instinctively makes her a feminist...
When did you first realise that International Women’s Day ought to be celebrated?
I have celebrated Women’s Day from my college days. I have participated in many rallies, programmes and activities around this time of the year, trying to bring some awareness about the issue.While we have much to celebrate as there are many courageous women who have made a mark and negotiated through their difficult circumstances, we also have much work to do to change the existing situation of women. The startling figures that show a dropping sex ratio, female foeticide, dowry deaths, sexual harassment, exploitation etc are cause of great concern. We need to understand the urgency of addressing these issues, and try not reduce the Women’s Day to tokenism.
How do you define feminism in the context of women’s emancipation?
There would be no need for feminism, if the world was a more equal and just place. Just as the environment is in danger and so we need environmentalists to raise a voice for it, we need feminists to bring the gender issue into focus. I want to believe that I am a humanist, but seeing the way many women suffer, instinctively makes one a feminist. But this is not a war against men, it’s an attempt to have more equal opportunities and create a greater sensitivity towards those who get marginalized. While the discrimination in the less privileged strata is more blatant, it does exist in every class of the society and is more subtle in the educated and privileged class. To have a more equal society is beneficial for all, and not just for the women.
How is it being a director? Why you chose to go for this while you are an acclaimed actress?
As an actor, it was always exciting to watch the rest of crew work towards shaping up a scene. Often I would get involved with suggestions or just observe the whole process. Slowly the desire to tell stories, the way I wanted to, started growing stronger. So I thought may be making a film and going through all its phases and having the space and freedom to tell the story I want to would be more satisfying. I did want to direct for a while, but didn’t think “Firaaq” would be my debut film. I was already involved with issues of sectarian violence, identity and this whole notion of the ‘other’. So, it were the stories that I heard, read and saw that compelled me to do the film. In many ways, it was cathartic for me to do the film. Sure it was risky, but when you have deep conviction in something, you also get the courage to face the challenges.
Do you feel a man and a woman direct a movie differently?
Just as there is a male gaze, there must be a feminine gaze. There is no denying I am a woman and that would bring in a sensibility, but this is not conscious. When one is directing, one is not thinking of one’s gender. “Firaaq” is not a woman-oriented film, but the women characters are surely layered not cardboard like. Of course, there are many male directors who have very sensitively told stories about women, like Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen and Shyam Benegal etc.
How do you balance your time being a mother, a wife and a career woman?
I will continue to travel the journey of life with multiple interests and concerns and thankfully without the pressure of proving myself or fearing the consequences. I deeply care about issues concerning women and much of my work, be it acting, writing, directing and speaking, is about advocating these concerns. It is all half a drop in the ocean, but we all need to do our little bit. I have seen that there is always time for what one really wants to do. At that time, other things go on the back burner and then again resurface later. During “Firaaq” that was my focus. Now, CFSI and, of course, Vihaan, who has made me more introspective other than filling me with a lot of joy. My concerns find vent through writing, speaking and interacting with various people. I have begun reading scripts as an actor and I am looking for a good story to work as a director. But I am in no hurry and all will find its time and place. One also needs to be open to surprises that life springs on us!