Aahana Kumra: After Lipstick Under My Burkha, I am being considered an actor of some worth

Actor Aahana Kumra says Lipstick Under My Burkha has opened more doors for her in Bollywood, and people are taking her seriously in terms of roles being offered to her now.

Aahana Kumra, who played the gritty Leela in director Alankrita Shrivastava’s film Lipstick Under My Burkha, touched the chord with the audience. The actor feels that the film, in a way, has opened doors for her given the appreciation it received from the audience both in India and abroad. Aahana shares the film has also proved what she is capable of doing as an artist and she has been getting quite a few offers now.

Actor Aahana Kumra says the success of Lipstick Under My Burkha has given her more visibility.

“A lot of people have seen my work via this film. And now, I am being considered an actor who has some worth and is ready to take up interesting roles — especially bold characters. Though in Bollywood, unfortunately bold characters often gets misunderstood as characters that can do [only] kissing and intimate scenes. But the kind of characters I am referring to, are those that have an identity of their own — characters we encounter in our real life, and along with cities, someone residing in any of the remote corners of India would be able to relate to,” adds Aahana.

The actor has shot for a web series after the film and is currently busy with the play The Father, also starring Naseeruddin Shah.

Lipstick Under My Burkha revolves around the story of four women who do not want to believe in societal norms and want to live life on their terms. The film, according to Aahana, also helped her become more aware about certain things.

“I now know much more about feminism, liberalism and patriarchy. The film made me more aware of what is happening around the world against women in general. It also made me realise that as responsible citizens, we must have a strong opinion about women issues and must take stand for what is right,” adds the actor, who played the role of Amitabh Bachchan’s daughter on screen in TV show Yudh.

Interestingly, Aahana says that some of those who had watched the film had come up to her asking if a sequel to the film is on the cards. “The way it has ended, has generated interest among the audience. Many had asked me what they (the characters played by her, Konkona Sen Sharma, Ratna Pathak Shah and Plabita Borthakur) would be doing the next day. And if at all we have any plans of showing what happens to all the four women,” she says.

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