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New Delhi:
There is no dearth of praise for Amitabh Bachchan and Taapsee Pannu starrer Pink which hit theatres two weeks ago. Ever since the film's release, cine-goers, fans and the who's who of the industry have been vocal about the film's inspiring message and the strong portrayal of women in a society dipped in patriarchy.
A Twitter user, Shristhi Mitra, was so inspired by the film as a voice of the female condition in India that she decided to write a letter to Taapsee, and it is certainly one that deserves to be read.
Directed by Aniruddha Roy Choudhry and produced by Shoojit Sircar, Pink has become nothing short of a movement, earning critical and commercial success. Shristhi congratulated the makers but also thanked Taapsee for her work in the film. "You have transformed many lives, many mindsets," she writes. She adds, "You have made girls strong, you have given them a reason to think about themselves, to love themselves enough to fight the odds in society."
Shristhi was compelled to write the letter as she found Pink to be 'a lesson in freedom and liberation.' "I realised that values and traditions are not everything, and no matter how much you uphold them, there will come a time when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is convenient," she writes.
She has questioned the regressive upbringing and advice given to young girls. She also feels that change will not take place overnight, but the step towards the right direction have been taken. "Maybe the complete transformation of the society will take some time. Maybe it will still take some time for people to understand that 'no means no'. But you have made a start, and that's what matters," she writes.
Taapsee was 'deeply moved' by the letter and replied, "Now this has got my eyes moist. Deeply moved! Now that is y we say #pink is a movement now! Let's all be a part of this CHANGE."
Here's the full letter:
"Dear Taapsee,
Hope you are well. Before you wonder who I am, let me tell you that you don't know me at all. But I felt the need and urge to write this letter to you after I watched Pink. I know the movie has done well and many congratulations to you on that. The reason I write to you is because this is much more than a film to me. It is a lesson in freedom and liberation.
Perhaps, not many would get what I am saying. I come from a small town called Shimla. I have grown up in a pretty middle class set up, which has always taught me to uphold my values and traditions. However, when I moved out of Shimla and started continuing my studies in Delhi, I realised that values and traditions are not everything, and no matter how much you uphold them, there will come a time when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is convenient. We are taught very early in life to keep our mouth shut when we want to share something that goes against family traditions. As girls, we are silenced more often but what we forget is the silence in our childhood transforms into silence in our adulthood as well. We get used to being a certain type, talking in a certain tone, and behaving in a certain manner no matter what the circumstances.
The instances portrayed in the film, we have all gone through in our lives. But how many of us have had the courage to stand up and say 'I am right, they are wrong' not many Taapsee. For you it may have been just a role that you essayed but trust me, you have transformed many lives, many mindsets. You have made girls strong, you have given them a reason to think about themselves, to love themselves enough to fight the odds in society. You have done what many actors haven't been able to do. As a girl and as an actor, you should be proud that today you have managed to make a difference. Maybe every girl will not have the courage or willpower yet. Maybe the complete transformation of the society will take some time. Maybe it will still take some time for people to understand that 'no means no'. But you have made a start, and that's what matters.
Lots of love,
A proud woman
A Twitter user, Shristhi Mitra, was so inspired by the film as a voice of the female condition in India that she decided to write a letter to Taapsee, and it is certainly one that deserves to be read.
Directed by Aniruddha Roy Choudhry and produced by Shoojit Sircar, Pink has become nothing short of a movement, earning critical and commercial success. Shristhi congratulated the makers but also thanked Taapsee for her work in the film. "You have transformed many lives, many mindsets," she writes. She adds, "You have made girls strong, you have given them a reason to think about themselves, to love themselves enough to fight the odds in society."
Shristhi was compelled to write the letter as she found Pink to be 'a lesson in freedom and liberation.' "I realised that values and traditions are not everything, and no matter how much you uphold them, there will come a time when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is convenient," she writes.
She has questioned the regressive upbringing and advice given to young girls. She also feels that change will not take place overnight, but the step towards the right direction have been taken. "Maybe the complete transformation of the society will take some time. Maybe it will still take some time for people to understand that 'no means no'. But you have made a start, and that's what matters," she writes.
Taapsee was 'deeply moved' by the letter and replied, "Now this has got my eyes moist. Deeply moved! Now that is y we say #pink is a movement now! Let's all be a part of this CHANGE."
Here's the full letter:
"Dear Taapsee,
Hope you are well. Before you wonder who I am, let me tell you that you don't know me at all. But I felt the need and urge to write this letter to you after I watched Pink. I know the movie has done well and many congratulations to you on that. The reason I write to you is because this is much more than a film to me. It is a lesson in freedom and liberation.
Perhaps, not many would get what I am saying. I come from a small town called Shimla. I have grown up in a pretty middle class set up, which has always taught me to uphold my values and traditions. However, when I moved out of Shimla and started continuing my studies in Delhi, I realised that values and traditions are not everything, and no matter how much you uphold them, there will come a time when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is convenient. We are taught very early in life to keep our mouth shut when we want to share something that goes against family traditions. As girls, we are silenced more often but what we forget is the silence in our childhood transforms into silence in our adulthood as well. We get used to being a certain type, talking in a certain tone, and behaving in a certain manner no matter what the circumstances.
The instances portrayed in the film, we have all gone through in our lives. But how many of us have had the courage to stand up and say 'I am right, they are wrong' not many Taapsee. For you it may have been just a role that you essayed but trust me, you have transformed many lives, many mindsets. You have made girls strong, you have given them a reason to think about themselves, to love themselves enough to fight the odds in society. You have done what many actors haven't been able to do. As a girl and as an actor, you should be proud that today you have managed to make a difference. Maybe every girl will not have the courage or willpower yet. Maybe the complete transformation of the society will take some time. Maybe it will still take some time for people to understand that 'no means no'. But you have made a start, and that's what matters.
Lots of love,
A proud woman