'The Rapist' is a triggering film. As a woman, I felt an array of emotions. Never have I moved so uncomfortably in my seat.
At one point I had to look away because I was about to burst into tears. And yet, it gave me a sense of hope to heal and for every other woman too.
Humans are multidimensional, we are never one thing, it isn’t black and white and the film writer and director Aparna Sen beautifully illustrates that.
The performances were brilliant, I was in awe of the layers every character had.
Dare I say for one tiny second, I sympathised with the rapist Prasad’s ( Tanmay Dhanania) character. I even questioned if what he did was unforgivable.
That is the mark of great storytelling, the moment you feel something for the villain you know the director has created a real human.
It is said 'Hurt people hurt people,' this film urges us to break that cycle.
She compels us to dig deeper and explore; no one is born a rapist, so why do they do what they do?
From my perspective as a woman, this film is extremely frustrating and utterly heartbreaking but still empowering. Frustrating because the violence against women is still prevalent and how women are viewed in certain parts of the world.
It's empowering because after being raped, Konkona Sen Sharma’s character; Naina doesn’t feel ashamed of what happened to her.
As traumatising as her experience is, she stands up to Prasad, saying she doesn’t feel ashamed.
Unfortunately, women have been taught to feel disgusting and shameful when their body has been 'tainted' with force.
Apart from it being a devastating life event, I truly feel this film brings the possibility to create a new narrative for women who have been assaulted.
It is to claim their story, and rise above it.
In the Q&A session after the screening of the film at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) in 2022, Mrs Sen was asked what she wants the film to accomplish. The director replied that she hopes the film will inspire conversations.
And it most definitely has.
The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne is extended to 30 September 2022.
[Disclaimer: These are the views of the reviewer and SBS Hindi doesn’t endorse them.]
