Set in the small-town walls of Bhopal, the film weaves together the secret lives of four women:
The “burkha” in the title is symbolic — it represents all the ways women hide their desires: in modesty, marriage, age, respectability, and fear.
When Lipstick Under My Burkha hit headlines in 2016, it wasn’t because of a blockbuster budget or A-list stars. It was because the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in India refused to give it a certificate, calling it “lady-oriented” and too “sexual.” The term “lady-oriented” sparked outrage — and the film became a symbol of the censorship war that still rages today. lipstick under my burkha 2017 bluray hindi 720p
Directed by Alankrita Shrivastava and produced by Prakash Jha, Lipstick Under My Burkha finally released in 2017 to critical acclaim and a cult following. For audiences searching for the film in high-definition formats like “BluRay Hindi 720p,” it’s important to understand why this movie deserves to be watched legally — and why its message transcends image quality.
This film is noted for its vibrant color grading and cinematography, which translates well in the 720p BluRay format, capturing the nuances of the setting and the characters' expressions clearly. Set in the small-town walls of Bhopal, the
When the CBFC denied certification to Lipstick Under My Burkha, chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani famously said the film was “too dark” and “lady-oriented.” The latter inadvertently became a battle cry. The Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) later overturned the decision and granted an ‘A’ (adults only) certificate with minor cuts.
The censorship battle made headlines globally — from The Guardian to The New York Times — and positioned the film as a landmark feminist text. Shrivastava became a leading voice against gendered censorship in India. The “burkha” in the title is symbolic —
What makes Lipstick Under My Burkha essential viewing is its refusal to judge its characters. In mainstream Bollywood, women seeking autonomy or sexual satisfaction are often punished or villainized. Here, they are simply human. They are flawed, they make mistakes, and they are sometimes selfish, but they are undeniably real.
The film faced a ridiculous battle with the CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification), which initially refused to certify it, calling it "lady oriented" and claiming it contained "audio pornography." This decision backfired spectacularly, galvanizing support for the film and highlighting the very hypocrisy it sought to expose.