New Delhi: Critically-acclaimed filmmaker and actor Nandita Das has made a seven-minute-long short film on domestic violence called Listen to Her, amid reports of surge in cases of abuse during the nationwide lockdown.
Released Tuesday, Das has written, acted, directed and produced the film within the confines of her home.
Supported by the UNESCO, United Nations Population Fund, UNICEF, UN Women and the South Asia Foundation, Das described the film as an “irony” on the “stay home, stay safe” guidance for millions of women in India and around the world.
“The film is adding its voice to a conversation that is much needed in the public space. It reminds us that speaking up is only possible when women know that there is someone listening.
“This pandemic has taught us that our lives are deeply intertwined, and must respond to the issues around us,” she writes in the description of the video.
‘Whisper…Speak…Shout’
The film starts with Das, in the lead role, trying to multitask — as she does office work, ensures her son eats properly and answers every time her husband asks her to do something.
The real message, however, comes through when a woman gives Das a call by accident. The woman at the other end of the call whispers for help after her husband beats her up.
While at first Das tries to ignore the call, she finds it difficult to put the phone down on realising that the woman is in pain. As the woman narrates her ordeal, the words “Whisper…Speak…Shout. Your voice will be heard!” appear on a blank screen.
The movie ends by displaying the emergency helpline numbers of the National Commission for Women (NCW), the distress number and the women’s helpline number with the police.
It is to note that the NCW had received 123 domestic violence complaints in just 18 days, between 23 March and 10 April, this year.
Also read: Indian law unclear on who to back if a woman is thrown out by her in-laws