Weeping Woman directed by Mousumi Mahanta, India

This short film explores a poignant moment when a grieving daughter is denied the right to perform her father’s funeral rites solely because of her gender. Instead, a distant male relative—emotionally disconnected from the deceased—is chosen to carry out the rituals. The film does not aim to address large-scale gender inequalities but rather sheds light on subtle, everyday acts of discrimination that often go unnoticed and unchallenged. Set against the backdrop of a society that venerates female deities yet restricts real women’s rights, the narrative highlights the contradiction between tradition and dignity. Through this story, I aim to raise awareness about the subtle injustices that persist in contemporary India, prompting reflection on customs that continue to marginalize women in deeply personal moments.

The film features acclaimed Assamese actors Adrita Parasha Mahanta, Bibhuti Bhusan Hazarika, and Aparna Dutta Chaudhari. The entire on-ground crew was locally sourced, while post-production was completed in Mumbai. The story is inspired by a personal experience from 2011, when I was denied the right to perform my father's last rites due to traditional beliefs. Despite being emotionally closest to him, I was told that women are not permitted to carry out such rituals. Even on the death anniversary, her brother who was out of town, had to take leave from work and come home to perform the rites, reinforcing the gender-based restrictions.

The shoot itself was a challenging yet enriching experience. Traveling alone to my hometown, I initially faced setbacks in assembling a crew but eventually received support from a few well-wishers. The 2-days shoot and 12 days of prep. including recce was completed on a tight budget, offering valuable insights into independent filmmaking.