Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Jun 11: The sleeveless blouse worn by Madhuri Dixit in the Netflix film Maa Behen has sparked widespread discussion online, with many viewers interpreting it as a symbol of resistance against patriarchy. However, director Suresh Triveni says the intention was never to make a direct political statement.
In the film, Madhuri portrays a woman who is constantly judged for her personal choices. One recurring point of criticism from those around her, including her daughters, is her decision to wear a sleeveless blouse. As the narrative unfolds, the garment comes to represent her desire to live life on her own terms.
Speaking about the discussion surrounding the film, Triveni said he did not approach the story with a specific ideological agenda.
“You don't start writing a film saying that this is for patriarchy or against patriarchy. That's the biggest disservice you can do to your own craft,” he said.
While acknowledging the symbolic significance attached to the blouse, the director stressed that it primarily represents the character's freedom of choice.
“Yes, the sleeveless blouse stands for her choice in life. It is not just about the blouse,” he explained.
Triveni also responded to arguments that sleeveless blouses are common today and therefore should not be considered controversial. According to him, such views fail to reflect the realities experienced by many women in different social settings.
“I was reading some arguments saying, ‘Everyone wears sleeveless blouses now, what's the big deal?’ I'm saying these are people who are disconnected from real life,” he said.
The filmmaker noted that while the blouse functions as a narrative device and a symbol, it gains significance only through the story itself.
“The blouse is a choice that she makes. It is also a plot device and a symbol, but the symbol alone cannot justify a film. The plot is important, and then the symbol comes out of it,” he said.
Triveni added that neither he nor writer Pooja Tolani deliberately created the blouse as an object for audiences to decode. Their primary focus, he said, was to tell an engaging and entertaining story.
“Most important is that, amongst all these deep conversations, our attempt was to make an entertaining film. Whatever people decipher from it is great,” he added.
Released on Netflix on Jun 4, Maa Behen also stars Triptii Dimri, Dharna Durga and Ravi Kishan. The film has received praise for its portrayal of everyday sexism and the challenges women face while asserting personal choices within restrictive social environments.