Lip-smacking food images started hovering in my mind when The Great Indian Kitchen started trending on the internet and my taste buds got activated to watch it. I was excited because the reviews showcased how it revolved around a woman trying hard to fit into an orthodox family after her marriage. Later, she refuses to settle as an obedient daughter-in-law and proceeds to follow her dreams in becoming a dance teacher. I will be sharing my views about how this movie has got immense power to change certain deep-rooted beliefs and how women should rise above the standards curated by society around them.

So, let’s start acting towards tackling situations about women that persist; this movie is a great effort to initiate and put forth efforts to eradicate subconscious beliefs.

Menstruation has been considered a taboo for ages and feelings of filth start cropping up in mind as soon as these words get uttered or even discussed. Even in schools, vaginal anatomy gets sidelined when it comes to discussing it openly with students. Women start suffering from the ‘white syndrome’
as the white cloth has a high chance of getting period-stained and so dark colored clothes are preferred. Censoring menstrual products and wrapping them in a newspaper has become standard practice. Even in the movie, menses are considered unholy and the female character went through this, aptly portraying and showcasing the reality of women still getting suppressed and falling prey to following old rituals that keep them caged. She was allotted a separate room to stay and no one was permitted to help her during such distressing times. I was stunned to see her spouse-portrayal as he did not pay heed to her needs and concerns. It was not a matter of concern for him that she sacrificed her dreams and careers to cook for him and his family.

It was comforting to see her realizing the power to say no and regaining her freedom to survive and thrive, becoming powerfully unapologetic. The ending takes the cake wherein she yelled at her brother to emphasize the importance of engaging in home chores, as it was not an obligation that needed to be followed by merely women or girls. Cooking is a skill with which everyone can get familiar.

Author: Sukhpreet Kaur

Edited by: Divya Rosaline

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