India, July 21 -- A silent uprising unfolded in Lipstick Under My Burkha (2017), a film by Alankrita Shrivastava. Depicting four women in small-town India against patriarchy, censorship, and suppressed urges, it sparked discussions about womanhood, autonomy, and agency. Its 2017 debut sparked a movement among Indian filmmakers who have since avoided traditional storytelling in favour of shedding light on taboo topics, including gender, class, sexuality, and power. Rather than being amusing, these films prompted spectators to reflect on societal mores and face unspoken truths. We highlight six of these works here for their fearless, unfiltered, and invigoratingly honest depictions of women and disadvantaged voices.

Nude is an inspiring ta...