The tragic truth of irreversible loss|Dec. 02, 2022|India|Not Rated
Genre: Bollywood;Drama
Description: Madhur Bhandarkar is ready to bring to life the story of how India came to a standstill when Covid-19 struck the nation with his upcoming feature film, *India Lockdown*. This ZEE5 original movie revisits the harrowing times that impacted people from all walks of life as they struggled for survival. Shweta Basu Prasad plays the role of Mehrunissa, a sex worker who loses her livelihood during the lockdown. In the film’s trailer, her character questions how women in her line of work can continue their jobs when the government enforces social distancing rules.
Reflecting on her role, Shweta shared how portraying Mehrunissa opened her eyes to the harsh realities these women faced. She expressed that the opportunity allowed her to give a voice to a marginalized and often overlooked community. “While many of us were aware of the suffering of migrants and others, we didn’t fully comprehend their struggles. We were posting about our daily lives on Instagram, while countless people lost their jobs, and children were confined to online schooling. It was heartbreaking to see how little attention the plight of sex workers received. Representing their community resonated deeply with me,” she explained.
Shweta further highlighted that social distancing norms made it impossible for these women to work, putting their survival at risk as they struggled to secure even their next meal. She noted that those who attempted to find alternative means of income often faced exploitation. “For me, it was crucial to give a voice to a community that is otherwise suppressed and ignored,” she added.
Cast director: Madhur Bhandarkar
Cast actor: Shweta Basu Prasad, Prateik Babbar, Sai Tamhankar, Aahana Kumra, Prakash Belawadi, Zarin Shihab
Original name: इंडिया लॉकडाउन