In 2016 Bollywood Movie “Pink” shook the audience with its powerful message that when a woman says no, it means no, regardless of her profession or social status. Meanwhile, Delhi HC made it clear that a woman’s consent to be in a man’s company cannot be used to infer her agreement to Sexual Liaison. And Bombay HC ruled that a drunk woman’s yes is not a yes at all
BOLLYWOOD HAS always been known for its love stories, drama, and song and dance routines. However, with time, the Indian film industry has come of age and has started to experiment with various themes. Bollywood has produced a series of films with a range of themes, but none quite like 2016 movie ‘Pink’, directed by Shoojit Sircar and Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury. Pink tackles the reolutionary and age old concept that women are always willing to have sex with men. The film portrays three modern working girls in Delhi, who befriend a couple of wealthy boys and go to a private resort, where a string of events unfolds. This leads to an attempted rape, and one of the girls defends herself, almost killing the boy.
The boy is the son of an influential leader, and a case is fabricated against the girl. She is charged with attempted murder, and the police further fabricate evidence against her, bringing out the bizarre notion that a woman who drinks and has male friends must be either a call girl or a woman with loose character.
“Amitabh Bachchan stars as a Lawyer who skillfully defends the girl and turns in a powerful performance.Amitabh Bachchan delivers a remarkable portrayal of a lawyer in the film, expertly defending a young girl and delivering a commanding performance. With ease, he dismantles all the claims put forward by the public prosecutor, ultimately securing the girl’s acquittal. Bachchan’s character successfully communicates the powerful message that a woman should not be judged for her dress or behavior, as it does not reflect her sexual promiscuity. In addition, he boldly challenges the global stereotype that a woman who dresses freely and indulges in laughter and drinking is easily attainable. The film addresses the age-old concept that a woman is always ‘willing’ and sends a strong message that when a woman says no, it means no, regardless of whether she is a prostitute, girlfriend, or housewife.
The movie’s theme has gained even more significance with recent court rulings in India. In a recent verdict by the Delhi High Court which reiterated an important message that a woman’s agreement to be in a man’s presence does not imply her consent for a sexual relationship. Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani, presiding over a single-judge bench, emphasised that it is incorrect to assume that a woman who consents to being with a man, irrespective of the duration, has also agreed to have sexual relations with him. “A distinction also needs to be articulated between a prosecutrix consenting to a situation versus consenting to sexual liaison.” Similarly, Bombay High Court recently ruled that when a woman is intoxicated, she is incapable of giving free and conscious consent to a sexual relationship. Hence, a drunk woman’s yes is not always a yes. The message is clear – consent to company is not consent to sex.
In a world where women are constantly judged based on their dress and behavior, it is essential to understand that women are not objects for male gratification. Women are independent human beings with their own agency, and it is important to respect their boundaries and consent. The recent court rulings and the film Pink serve as a reminder that it is time to change age-old concepts and attitudes towards women.
In conclusion, the movie “Pink” may have been released in 2016, but its message shall always stand relevant. It is heartening to see that the Indian judiciary is also recognising the importance of consent and making rulings to protect women. It is high time that we understand that a person’s behaviour or circumstances cannot be used to assume consent. Only a clear “yes” means “yes.”
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