Alankrita Shrivastava

Writer

Date of birth:

Height:

Spouse:

Dialogue, Director, Screenplay, Writer

Lipstick Under My Burkha

(21 Jul 2017)

Director, Screenplay, Writer

Garjann

(12 Dec 2011)

Writer

Turning 30!!!

(14 Jan 2011)

Director, Writer

Khoya Khoya Chand

(7 Dec 2007)

Executive Producer

Awards

2017

Glasgow Film Festival
()

2017

Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival
(Asian Frontiers)

2017

Granada Film Festival Cines del Sur
(Best Feature)

2017

Film De Femmes
(Best Feature Film)

2017

London Asian Film Festival
(Best Film)

2017

Caleidoscope Indian Film Festival
(Most Popular Film)

2016

Tokyo International Film Festival
()

2016

Mumbai Film Festival
(Best Film On Gender Equality)

News

'Lipstick Under My Burkha' fame director Alankrita Shrivastava to helm film on Pakistani social media star Qandeel Baloch

17 May 2022

On helming the project, Alankrita said, "When Qandeel Baloch was murdered in Pakistan in 2016, I was shaken up. It was a heinous honour killing. I couldn't stop thinking about her. I started watching Qandeel's videos repeatedly, and I was fascinated. She was so charming and full of life. A poor girl from a small village, who worked her way up to being provocatively famous. She was just 26 when she was killed. And ironically, it's only after her death that she has been reclaimed as a feminist."She added, "Qandeel's story needs to be told by a sensitive filmmaker who is passionate about women's stories. Alankrita is just the filmmaker for it. And not just because she is an award-winning feminist filmmaker, but because she has so much empathy for her characters. She tells their stories with candour and warmth."The cast and other details of the yet-to-be-titled film are not known yet.

Pratik Gandhi, Wamiqa Gabbi, Fatima Sana Shaikh to lead the Indian cast of the adaption of Modern Love

19 Jan 2022

The American romantic comedy anthology streaming television series called Modern Love developed by John Carney is officially getting an Indian adaptation. Several noteworthy directors including Hansal Mehta, Vishal Bhardwaj, Anjali Menon, Alankrita Shrivastava, Dhruv Sehgal, and Shonali Bose would be taking up the mantle for this huge project starring actors like Wamiqa Gabbi, Pratik Gandhi, and Fatima Sana Shaikh among others.The anthology series explores love in all of its complicated and beautiful forms, as well as its effects on the human connection. Each episode brings to life a different story that has been inspired by a newspaper column. The Indian adaptation will have a similar yet fresh concept around the various stories being presented as episodes. All the actors who are supposedly part of the project have each been doing a slew of impressive work including Wamiqa and Pratik having already made their grand OTT debuts in 2020 and 2021 respectively,Says a source, Each of the actors are helming different directors stories in the anthology. And its an exciting lineup of directors and actors who have come together. The series was shot late in 2021 and is believed to be releasing soon on the platform.

NCPCR demands Netflix show Bombay Begums be banned

12 Mar 2021

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has asked Netflix to stop streaming Alankrita Shrivastavas stunningly layered Bombay Begums. Apparently two Twitter handles condemning scenes related to the films youngest protagonist (Aadhya Anand) have come under the NCPCRs scanner.We have sought stopping the streaming of Bombay Begums over the inappropriate portrayal of children in the series, NCPCR chairperson Priyank Kanoongo is quoted as saying. Netflix has been given 24 hours from the time of the notice to remove Bombay Begums from its repertoire.While no one from Netflix was willing to comment on this not-unexpected development (somebody has to object to something or the other on the streaming platform) an actor from the series told me, The inappropriate portrayal of children is such a nebulous term. Is the Commission aware of what goes on at the rave parties that teenagers regularly attend? In order to begin to solve the problems that plague our society we must first address those problems. And to address those problems we must first show them on screen. Right? No point in pretending they dont exist.In the series defence I must add that nowhere does it express any approval of kids taking drugs at parties. But then the NCPCR has not seen the ostensibly offending scenes, right? They are acting on the basis of what they read on Twitter. And we all know how reliable information on the social media tends to be.

Sonu Sood calls for human rights education program about government food schemes

9 Oct 2020

Sonu Sood today joins actors and filmmakers including Sonakshi Sinha, Raveena Tandon, R. Balki, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, Imtiaz Ali, Nandita Das, Saket Chaudhary, Alankrita Shrivastava, Ruchi Nair, and Shonali Bose, each taking a stand for the human right they feel is most important.On the Born Free & Equal podcast by United for Human Rights, where Sonu chose to talk about the human right Food and Shelter for All, he said, Food and Shelter is the right that everyone needs and deserves to get. Imagine all these poor guys who are on the roads - they're not getting food with them for two days, three days. What we realized is that government distributed food reaches a lot of places, but we also had at least 30 to 40% of people who still get deprived of all their needs and their rights, so the question is how to make that awareness? Yes, the law and rights to food and shelter exist, but how many people are really enjoying it in the heartland, theres a lot of classism, there are a lot of people not aware of their rights and, like what this Born Free and Equal podcast is doing, its just about bringing that awareness - awareness of your rights. Half of the people, I would say five out of 10 people, they are not aware, or if they are aware, they don't know how to make use of their rights. So, I think that that's a little bit of a knowledge that needs to be given to these guys.Sonu was joined on the podcast by actress Sheena Chohan, South Asia Ambassador for United for Human Rights, who was awarded the Hero Award at the United Nations in New York last year. Sheena said. The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Indian Constitution make it clear that people have a right to these basic rights. Article 47 of our Constitution says raising the level of nutrition, standard of living and health is among the states most important duties. So, its wonderful to have someone like Sonu, who has done so much to provide for those without food and shelter in this crisis, call for education programs which would permanently see that awareness of the food schemes provided by the government to comply with the constitution, reach everyone who needs it.

Film personalities and others write an open letter to media condemning the witch hunt of Rhea Chakraborty

16 Sep 2020

Over two thousand people including film personalities have signed an open letter condemning the media's witch hunt of Rhea Chakraborty while covering the Sushant Singh Rajput's death investigation. Film personalities like Sonam Kapoor, Anurag Kashyap, Zoya Akhtar, Freida Pinto, Gauri Shinde, Farhan Akhtar, Alankrita Shrivastava, Reema Kagti, Rasika Dugal, Amruta Subhash, Dia Mirza, Kubbra Sait and others have also signed the latter that asks media to hunt news and not women.Rhea Chakraborty was arrested a week ago by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in a drug probe in connection with the death case of Sushant Singh Rajput. Up until now, 18 people including Rhea, her brother Showik, Rajput's manager Samuel Miranda, domestic help Dipesh Sawant and others have been arrested.The open letter signed by over 2,500 personalities from differnet walks of life has been addressed to the news media of India and is published on a blog called Feminist Voices.Dear news media of India. We are worried about you. Are you feeling ok? Because, as we watch your witch-hunt of Rhea Chakraborty, we cannot understand why you have abandoned every professional ethic of journalism, every tenet of human decency and dignity and chosen instead to physically assault a young woman with your camera crews, endlessly violate her privacy and work overtime on false accusations and moralistic innuendo for a drama of 'Rhea ko phasao', the letter reads.The letter also drew parallels to the cases of actors Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan and urged the media to show the same kindness and respect to Chakraborty. The letter also questioned why the media assassinated Chakrabortys character and encouraged an online mob against her and her family. The letter also condemned the media for promoting stereotypes of vishkanyas and dayans while trivialising mental health.It is easy to victimise a young woman because there are so many people who already disbelieve, slut-shame and abuse women, for their smallest freedoms. It is certainly cheaper than doing actual stories about a host of issues from GDP to health, currently confronting us, the letter further said.We write to ask you, the news media, to stop this unfair witch-hunt of Rhea Chakraborty and to stop fuelling moral polarities of good women to be deified and bad women to be crucified which endangers all women. We write to ask you to do the right and responsible thing. Your jobs. Hunt news, not women, the letter added.

Bhumi Pednekar and Konkona Sen Sharmas Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare to premiere at Busan International Film Festival 2019

5 Sep 2019

The first look of Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare produced by Ekta Kapoor and directed by Alankrita Shrivastava had created quite a stir for its REBELutionary depiction of women. Interestingly, the highly anticipated film marks the second collaboration of two creative powerhouses, Ekta Kapoor and Alankrita Shrivastava, one of Indias leading female writer-director. The last time that the creative duo joined forces for Lipstick Under My Burkha, Bollywood experienced a mighty feminist wave and female perspectives that have often been under-represented came to the fore. Now that the two cine forces have pooled in their efforts for Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare , appreciation has come earlier than expected, in the form of selection at the prestigious Busan International Film Festival. Alankrita Shrivastavas upcoming directorial will be premiered at the festival on October 4, 2019. From the first look of it, Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare is a coming of age story of two rebellious and transgressive women through whom we explore female desire, the claiming of independence and the moral ambiguity of women. Helmed by Alankrita, who has a penchant for strong women-centric storylines and nuanced characters, the upcoming film stars two talented performers of Indian cinema, Konkana Sensharma and Bhumi Pednekar.With the film making it to the Asias top film fest, the REBELution has begun on a high note already. On DKCS being selected at BIFF, director Alankrita exclaims, As a filmmaker, the World Premiere is the most glorious moment of making a film and yet it is the moment wrought with the greatest anxiety. Its like giving birth to a child. And finally, let it out in the world. It will have a life and a destiny of its own. But its the most beautiful feeling in the world to have your film screened for the first time. Its a memory of a lifetime. And having people from different countries and cultures watch the film in its first screening is truly special. Im both humbled and excited that weve been picked by a prestigious festival like Busan, for the World Premiere of Dolly Kitty. Two years ago, Ekta Kapoor and Alankrita Shrivastava united for Lipstick Under My Burkha that swept the cinema scene with the sheer impact of its story and won accolades and box office success. The film went on to be screened at close to a hundred film festivals across the world and won 18 international awards, apart from the multiple awards won back home in India. Given the early signs of success that Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare shows, the film may well be on its way to repeating the history that Lipstick Under My Burkha created. ALSO READ: Bhumi Pednekar signed as brand ambassador for Raisin

Konkona Sen Sharma and Bhumi Pednekar will be coming together for Lipstick Under My Burkha director Alankrita Shrivastavas next

12 Oct 2018

We all know the uproar the bold film Lipstick Under My Burkha managed to create owing to its tabooed topic of female sexuality. Now, the director of the film, Alankrita Shrivastava is gearing up for another woman oriented movie and this one is expected to have Bhumi Pednekar.It will also feature the actress, from her last movie, Konkona Sen Sharma. If reports are to be believed, this project was initially supposed to be helmed by another female director, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari. However, that deal didnt seem to have worked out. In fact, one of the first actors to come on board was Konkona Sen Sharma. It is being said in reports that the makers were keen on having Koko on board because they wanted someone to play a powerful role in the film. These reports also suggest that the untitled film talks about two rebellious women and it has a very desi flavor to it. Furthermore, it is being said that when Alankrita came on board after Ashwiny, she was more than happy to work with Konkona Sen Sharma and wanted her to be a part of this film. On the other hand, this might be the second solely woman oriented film of Bhumi Pednekar. The actress is also expected to have signed Anurag Kashyap s Womaniya which is also supposed to feature Taapsee Pannu.Also Read: I am sure Takht journey is going to make me a better actor and performer Bhumi Pednekar

Lipstick Under My Burkha makers Alankrita Shrivastava and Ekta Kapoor reunite

9 Jan 2018

Lipstick Under My Burkha that invited the wrath of the censors won the battle against the CBFC after the audiences and media decided to support the release of the film. Yet the Alankrita Shrivastava directorial found it difficult to find takers when it was approaching its release date and it was then when Ekta Kapoor arrived to their rescue. Ever since then, Alankrita and Ekta have shared a great camaraderie and now they have decided to collaborate on yet another venture. It was a known fact that Ekta Kapoor decided to take a risky decision when she decided to back Lipstick Under My Burkha at the last moment but the film producer left no stone unturned as she made it a point that the film gets ample visibility before its release. Followed by their efforts, Lipstick Under My Burkha turned out to be one of the most talked films last year and yet again Alankrita wants to recreate the magic on screen. According to the ambitious filmmaker, Ekta Kapoor is the perfect producer for the kind of films that Alankrita wants to tell and hence this reunion, according to her, was a natural progression. The director also believes that Ekta has the courage to back such out-of-the-box ventures. On the other hand, Alankrita is also equally nervous about her second film which is yet another venture with female protagonists. She doesnt want people to have any preconceived ideas about her next after her debut [ Lipstick Under My Burkha ] as she likes to start each project with a clean slate. Talking about her next film, although the details of the casting is yet to be finalized, Alankrita revealed that it will be a coming-of-age story of two women set against the backdrop of North India. While she wants to maintain silence over the film since she is still working on the screenplay. On the other hand, Alankrita also maintained about how excited she is to explore these two female characters as well as the subject of the changing roles of Indian women in the society currently. She also asserted that female is the future of the world. As for the untitled venture, it is being said that it will go on floor sometime next year after the cast is locked.

The REAL REASON why Alankrita Shrivastava named her film LIPSTICK UNDER MY BURKHA

16 Sep 2017

It has not only caught the attention of the Censor Board, but also many feminists and social media lovers for its controversial content. After a long battle, the award winning film at many festivals Lipstick Under My Burkha , finally gets a release in India and the promotions have kick started. During one of its events held in Delhi, Alankrita Shrivastava, the director of the film revealed the reason behind choosing this unique title for the film. As unique as the title sounds, it definitely triggered curiosity amongst the audience and after the release of the trailer; it has only further increased the intrigue quotient. Whilst attending the recent promotional event in the capital, Alankrita was questioned about why she chose such a unique title for the film and her reply explained it all. Calling it as a metaphor for womens unspoken dreams and desires, Alankrita Shrivastava said that Lipstick Under My Burkha was a representation of how, despite trying to cover up everything and in her attempts to maintain her image in the society, the women continue to have hidden dreams and desires that they would not let go off. Alankrita further asserted that restraining them wouldnt stop them from following their passion and dreams. She added that the film was also about certain things that women often do in secret because they arent allowed to do in public places. Starring Konkana Sen Sharma, Ratna Pathak Shah, Sonal Jha, Aahana Kumra, Lipstick Under My Burkha revolves around the fight of four women who try to break free from the societal norms in their own way. The film, which is being backed by Ekta Kapoor , faced a major battle with the Central Board of Film Certification on the basis of explicitly portraying womens sexual desires and fantasies. Now, the film has received a release date and it is scheduled to hit the big screens on July 21.

Lipstick Under My Burkha controversy takes new turn, makers to approach FCAT

25 Feb 2017

The past couple of days have been abuzz with news reports about CBFC refusing to certify Lipstick Under My Burkha.The decision has sparked an outrage amongst feminists since the film targets about women unabashedly accepting their sexuality and the director of the film Alankrita Shrivastava has now decided to approach Film Certification Appellate Tribunal for the certification. Lipstick Under My Burkha has received acclaim at several international film festivals but the film has been struggling to get a release in its home country India. The Central Board of Film Certification, as stated by Alankrita Shrivastava, has categorically refused to certify the film because of their guidelines. In a statement released a day ago, the CBFC claimed to have refused to certify the film due to its explicit scenes and portrayal of women-oriented fantasies. Director Alankrita Shrivastava considers approaching FCAT as the next apt step after neither the CBFC nor the revising committee supported the release of the film. Just a day ago, Prakash Jha too confessed that he has been considering of going to the tribunal for the certification of the film. The director of the film, however, slammed the CBFC decision adding that this is a way of stifling womens voices in a patriarchal society. Lipstick Under My Burkha stars Konkana Sen Sharma, Ratna Pathak Shah, Plabita Borthakur, Aahana Kumra, Vikrant Massey, Sushant Singh among others.