Lets talk with Vasundhara Das

‘Women shouldn’t take things lying down’
Vasundhara Das gets into serious cinema mode with her latest role in Tanuja Chandra’s Filmstar

What is your role in Tanuja Chandra's Filmstar?

I play a character who, after being abused by her husband, goes on to kill him. I have known several women in real life who are exploited but never manage to come out. They suffer all the time. My character in the film is pretty extreme and she goes to jail. Playing such a role made me introspect and think hard about what woman should do if they face such situations.

What do you think they should do?

A friend of mine had a domestic help who was beaten up by her husband during pregnancy. This exploitation doesn't just happen among the illiterate. Even educated women are subject to both mental and physical abuse. After a point I drew a blank thinking what a woman can actually do. The government talks of equal rights to men and women. It's all about the power issue. But at the end of the day, women shouldn't take things lying down. They have the voice to protest and should exercise their rights.

Did you do the playback for the film as well?
No. The film has a very sweet bhajan. But I haven't sung it.

What are your other film projects?
Right now I am working in a Malayalam film titled, Vajram. It's about an actress who gets to encounter the darker side of the industry. I'll start working on an issue based film by Prakash Pelawudi. The film is inspired by real life.

Tags: Filmstar