Not sure of world outside our country but India is a difficult
place to live for women. It has always been. Dreaming of a better &
brighter future with its own share of freedom and individuality, apart from
just being a good housewife and a responsible mother to as many kids is sure
too much to ask for. So when a devoted member of Durga Vahini- the women wing
of a Hindu fundamentalist group, Prachi Trivedi thanks her uncompromising,
dominating and often abusive father for letting her be alive in this world, it definitely
breaks your heart in pieces.
But that’s very minuscule; the bigger picture is way
ahead. Grass always looks greener on the other side but things are not easier
for Ruhi Singh also who belongs to a much supportive middle-class but modern family
of Jaipur and is now a potential contestant at Miss India pageant. With these
two different individual identities and their vastly distinguished worlds,
Nisha Pahuja presents THE WORLD BEFORE HER- an absolutely amazing, powerful and
emotive documentary that also entertains at large.
To show the aspirations, dreams and hopes of today’s Indian
women, THE WORLD BEFORE HER handpicks two complete contrast characters and throws
light on their lives under sheets. Prachi Trivedi of Aurangabad is a firm &
fearless believer of Hindutva who could never blink or think twice before
killing anyone against her religion or country. In her Durga Vahini Camp, young
girls are taught the roots of Hindu culture and how one should protect it from
other religions and the westernization taking it over. This is one Hindustan as
they say. Defensive, panicky and regressively alarmed against the inevitable change
world is bringing into itself!
On the other, it is all dolled up in the best of make-up
& dresses Miss India aspirants who are dreaming to win the title in order
to find themselves in the league of upgraded from ‘person to personality’. This
is a manufacturing unit like set-up where products are being polished to their
bests, in this case with Botox sessions, skin whitening treatments, extensive diction
& personality booster tutorials and what not. In one deeply disturbing
sequence, they all are made to parade in a sack covering their heads and upper
torsos only to decide who’s been blessed with the best of legs.
Prachi and Ruhi’s worlds never really cross their paths
but collide at all stages in terms of their cultural orientations, mental beliefs
and personal choices in life. THE WORLD BEFORE HER honestly, impressively and
without being critical to anyone specific puts the both on our table to dissect
with our own receptivity and agree or disagree to either later. A very very important
film! And yes, documentaries can also be entertaining. This one is a neat
example! Do not miss it. [3.5/5]
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