Neeru Bajwa: In 2023, I came up with the bravest topic when I did 'Kali Jotta' - Exclusive

In a reflective year-ender interview with ETimes, Neeru Bajwa delved into the impactful realm of cinema with her latest project, ‘Kali Jotta.’ Beyond the glitz of the entertainment industry, Bajwa passionately addressed a pressing social issue through this cinematic venture, using her artistry to shine a spotlight on narratives that transcend the screen.

Here are the excerpts from the conversation:

The dialogue commenced with a discussion about one of her artworks of 2023, where the actress earnestly sought to confront a societal concern. She candidly shared her enduring commitment to using cinema as a medium to illuminate various social issues and said, “It is not just in 2023, I have tried to address social issues with my work for quite some time now. Be it 'Kokka,' which was released in 2022 and talked about the topic of ageism, or my 2019 released film 'Uda Aida,' which highlighted the obsession of Punjabis for the language English, in a light-hearted way, I always tried to make movies that cater to one or the other sensitive topic prevailing in our culture. However, in 2023, I believe I came up with the bravest topic when I did 'Kali Jotta.'”

During the conversation, she highlighted why ‘Kali Jotta’ stood out as her boldest choice. She articulated the challenge of addressing a taboo subject, emphasizing the difficulty of bringing such nuanced themes to the cinematic forefront. “This movie holds a special place in my heart for many reasons, one of which of course is its subject. Even in today's day and age, where we say we have become more feminist, and progressive with our perspectives, the harsh reality is we haven't. People still fail to understand the gravity of topics like mental and sexual harassment. They still don't take into account the pain of the person who goes through it. And to bring that very pain on the screen was not an easy thing to do,” she shared.

Neeru further provided a glimpse into the character of Rabia (her character from Kali Jotta), a vivacious and carefree individual whose sole crime was the desire to chart her own course in life. As she narrated Rabia's journey, it became evident that living life on her own terms subjected her to a life full of ordeals. She mentioned, “Rabia, my character in the movie goes through a turmoil of emotions. On the one hand, she has a couple of men in her life like her father or her crush, who simply adore her for who she is, and then on the other hand, there are people like her brother, the school principal, the teachers who can't stand her guts. The only reason she was harassed was because she wanted to live life on her own terms. And no matter how much anyone denies it, it is one of the harshest truths of society. Forget men, a woman can't see another woman succeeding in life.”

Last but not least, during the end of the conversation Neeru Bajwa responded to the question of whether an artist must tackle social issues through their platform. In her thoughtful reply, she explored the inherent responsibility artists carry in utilizing their influence to engage with and bring attention to societal concerns.“I believe it is very subjective. I get it that one does movies or music videos for commercial purposes, you need to have money in your bank of course. However, one should also be open to giving it back to society, and to the world in whichever way possible. I am not saying cut down on entertainment and make a preachy film. However, I believe there is no harm in shedding light on the topics that are otherwise not talked about much through your art and platform when you are capable enough,” she concluded.

Also Read: Throwback Tales: When Neeru Bajwa gave us a glimpse of the time when she worked as a background dancer in Bollywood