Documentary
A Bra Ka D Bra is a takedown of the culture of body shaming
NEW DELHI: Insecurities. Everyone has them. Stemming from the perception of how others see us. In the age of Instagram we’re all on display, and for many people, their self-esteem hinges on that one ‘heart’ from virtual strangers. Even though no two bodies are alike, and there is no right way to be beautiful, we’re all chasing that unattainable ideal – be it bubble booties, thigh gaps or perfectly plump bosoms.
Which brings us to the heart of the movie A Bra Ka D Bra – the story of a young woman struggling to accept the fact that she is flat-chested. Her struggle is very real and very valid, for she inhabits a society where adolescent girls put women like Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner on a pedestal and want to look like them in the hopes of one day getting a taste of their high-rolling lifestyle. While the protagonist Bani may not aspire to be a Kardashian, she is exceedingly conscious of her own lacking assets, a fact that is rubbed in her face at every turn by family members, peers and even random passers-by. Her cousin knowledgeably points out to her – bada hai tabhi to behtar hai (Bigger is better) – which perfectly sums up the mindset of people today.
Living in this toxic environment does a number on Bani, who resorts to every trick in the book, from creams to padding, to give her cup size a boost. While these scenes may have been presented humorously, they also highlight the insidious effect that body image issues and body shaming can have on a person’s psyche. Bani, played brilliantly by Prachi Bansal, is far from defined by her boobs (or lack thereof). She is a confident ace basketball player, a starry-eyed small town girl who moves to the big city, and dreams of fulfilling her passions and finding love. Yet her vibrant personality and busy life are gradually overshadowed by one aspect of herself that she is insecure about – which society has conditioned her to believe is the be-all and end-all of being a woman.
Like any teenage girl, Bani wants to fit in, make friends, have a lit college life – so when nature fails her, she takes matters into her own hands and stuffs her bra with fake pads. The scheme pays off – for a while. The pads hamper her when she plays, so she quits basketball. It also attracts an unwelcome suitor, which leads to unsavoury consequences. Eventually, the pretence and lies catch up with Bani, pushing her into despair and making her consider an extreme and irreversible step.
But thanks to her clueless but supportive father, better sense prevails. The message is clear: love yourself. Acceptance and being comfortable in your skin may be hard to come by, but its better than kowtowing to superficial standards of beauty that invariably take a toll on one’s self-esteem.
Bani’s story is a reality that millions live with. Some are unhappy with the shape of their body, some with their height, others with their skin tone. They are trolled and shamed both online and offline; they are depressed and filled with self-loathing. Producer Shyamashis Bhattacharya and director Neelima Bajpai take up a bold subject to explore in their maiden venture for the big screen and they execute it well. Bani’s inner turmoil and frustration with the world that constantly looks down on her is showcased with a deft hand by the writing team comprising Bajpai, Amit Babba and Indira Bisht. The screenplay could have been more cohesive and flown better, but doesn’t detract from the overall impact of the story. The supporting cast also leaves an impression – Avinash Mishra is Vidyut, the lovable himbo Bani crushes on; Poulomi Das plays the prickly friend Shanti and Luv Vispute shines as the happy-go-lucky confidant with a few secrets of his own.
A Bra Ka D Bra is a step in the right direction. It’s a wake-up call for a society obsessed with outward appearances, and a shot in the arm for those lacking in body confidence. The film can be streamed online as a pay-per-view on BookMyShow.
Documentary
Netflix and Warner Music ink landmark documentary deal
The streaming giant has just unlocked one of the richest vaults in music history. Its rivals should be worried
CALIFORNIA AND NEW YORK: Netflix and Warner Music Group have signed an exclusive multi-year deal to produce documentary series and films drawn from the label’s storied artist roster, the companies announced on Friday — a move that hands the streaming platform access to one of the most formidable catalogues in music history.
Warner Music Group represents legends including David Bowie, Cher, Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin and Joni Mitchell, alongside contemporary superstars such as Charli XCX, Coldplay and Bruno Mars. That is a staggering breadth of material for a platform hungry for prestige content and subscriber growth to match.
Under the agreement, Warner Music will work with Unigram, the production company aligned with the label, which will serve as the studio for its long-form projects. Each title will be developed in collaboration with the artists themselves or their estates, ensuring the kind of intimate access that turns a documentary into an event.
The deal reflects an intensifying race between music-rights owners and streaming platforms eager to turn deep catalogues into premium visual content. Music documentaries have become a vehicle for fan-driven, culturally resonant programming — a trend underscored by Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” film, which grossed over $260 million globally and reminded every platform chief just how lucrative the genre can be.
Netflix already boasts formidable credentials in music storytelling, with “Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé” and “Quincy” among its highest-profile releases. The Warner deal sharpens that edge considerably. Rival platforms have not been idle: Disney+ has released “The Beach Boys”, while Max has drawn attention with “Stax: Soulsville U.S.A.” Apple Music, meanwhile, has pushed into original content through its Apple Music Live series, producing documentaries and livestreamed concerts featuring Harry Styles and Billie Eilish.
The battle for music’s visual soul, then, is well and truly on. Netflix has just made its boldest move yet.
