Laapataa Ladies director Kiran Rao draws inspiration from RG Kar protest

Laapataa Ladies director Kiran Rao recently came to Kolkata to join an event and became vocal about the safety of women and the RG Kar incident.

Kiran Rao in Kolkata

Kiran Rao has an old connection with Kolkata. She grew up here and studied at Loreto. She can fluently speak Bengali. Whenever she comes to Kolkata, she visits the old places she used to go, like Gariahat. Now, Kiran is inspired by Kolkata's protests against the heinous rape and murder of the lady doctor in RG Kar Hospital. She conceptualized the plot for her new film, inspired by the protests, she said.  

The film Laapataa Ladies, directed by Kiran, will represent India in the upcoming Academy Awards Ceremony. Kiran recently came to Kolkata to join an event and became vocal about the safety of women and the RG Kar incident. She said in an interview, "It is crucial to ensure women's safety at workplaces all over the country. I am amazed to see Kolkata's protests. I am inspired by the people who came to the streets protesting the incident."  

Kiran said that she thought of a story set in the backdrop of Kolkata that would talk about many aspects of women, starting from the forties and continuing till the present times. She wished to shoot the film in Kolkata. She also questioned the patriarchal system while talking about women's identity.  

Kiran showed how two families were harassed because of a veil. Why should women cover themselves in veils? She questioned that in Laapataa Ladies. The film did well in theaters and on the OTT. Kiran said, "My identity is only mine. Recently, I went to renew my driving license and was asked for my father's name. That was because I was separated and did not keep my husband's name. I never wish to change my name or surname. It is strange for women. Even if they are adults, they have to mention their fathers' or husbands' names.'  

Share