Varsha Bharath: Women Are Human, Not Purists

Synopsis

Varsha Bharath, director of 'Bad Girl', emphasizes that women should embrace their humanity rather than strive for purism. She highlights the complexity of female characters, acknowledging their flaws and struggles in a patriarchal cinematic landscape.

Key Takeaways

Women are human, not purists.
Complex female characters are essential.
Societal pressures shape women's portrayals.
Flawed characters deserve acceptance.
Filmmakers should not dictate life choices.

Chennai, Jan 27 (NationPress) Varsha Bharath, the visionary behind the forthcoming Tamil movie Bad Girl, articulated that women are not required to be purists; they simply need to be human.

During the film's teaser unveiling, which boasts the production prowess of renowned director Vetrimaran and collaborative presentation by Anurag Kashyap and Vetrimaran, Bharath expressed, “I want to emphasize a crucial point. The film is titled ‘Bad Girl’. Recently, we arranged a screening for various filmmakers, and many questioned the title due to its negative implications.

“Is this character (referring to the lead in the film) truly a bad girl? I lack definitive answers as I hold no judgment against her. I have merely crafted a profoundly human character. She has imperfections, makes poor choices, and endures pain, but she does not harm others. She feels remorse and strives to overcome,” she elaborated.

Praising her lead actress Anjali Sivaraman for her exceptional performance, the director remarked, “Portraying such a complex character is challenging, yet Anjali has shouldered this responsibility magnificently. She has approached the character without any judgment. I am immensely thankful for her contribution.”

Bharath further elaborated, “In Tamil mainstream cinema, the portrayal of women has typically been that of a flower, virtuous, goddess-like, maternal, and pure. This narrative places an overwhelming burden on women. Hence, I aimed to create a character that is genuinely relatable.”

The director clarified that this film serves merely as a conversation starter and is not intended as a self-help guide, stating, “I do not claim to instruct anyone on how to live their life. This character is not a hero; she is simply a deeply flawed individual grappling with mental health challenges and striving to survive. Filmmakers, in general, are not in a position to dictate how one should live.”

She pointed out that male characters with far greater flaws and irredeemability are often idolized, saying, “While this character doesn’t need to be idolized, she can be accepted. I am not promoting alcohol consumption among women in this film; I am merely narrating the story of a young woman. Women are not obliged to be purists; they just need to embody their humanity.”