Lipstick Under

It is a necessary watch—funny, tragic, and deeply human. It peels back the layers of patriarchy to reveal the messy, vibrant, desiring heart of the women underneath.

Visually, the film is rich in texture. The cinematography contrasts the claustrophobic interiors of the women's homes with the open, chaotic streets of Bhopal. The use of the burkha and the dupatta as metaphors is effective without being heavy-handed; they are tools of oppression, yes, but also tools of subversion—things to hide behind when one is breaking the rules. lipstick under

But we do not need to travel to a foreign theocracy to find “lipstick under.” We find it in boardrooms and hospitals, in high heels and starched collars. It is the “power lip” a female executive applies in her car before walking into a meeting dominated by men. It is the bright smile a nurse paints on after a twelve-hour shift, covering the exhaustion of a system that undervalues her. In this context, “under” means under pressure, under scrutiny, under the constant threat of being underestimated. It is a necessary watch—funny, tragic, and deeply human

The ensemble cast is the film's greatest strength. Konkona Sen Sharma delivers a masterclass in subtlety; her Shirin is a portrait of resigned frustration, finding dignity in secret triumphs. Aahana Kumra brings a raw, unapologetic energy to Leela, making her character’s desperation feel palpable. Plabita Borthakur captures the specific confusion of youth—yearning for freedom while terrified of the consequences. It is the “power lip” a female executive