By Ishana Sen Das
Girls Should Stay at Home, directed by Neel Menon, documents the stories of three young women living in Mumbai; each of these women have pushed at traditional gender norms in their own way. We hear from Geeta, who plays international wheelchair basketball, Rajani, Mumbai’s first female detective, and Anita, who is a public officer. We learn about their experiences in each of their respective fields as well as the difficulties of being a woman in Mumbai. Despite the bleak statistics about gender inequality displayed at the beginning and end, the film takes an upbeat tone. It ends with candid advice for all women from Geeta, Rajani and Anita.
This documentary is unique in that it recognizes ordinary women creating space for themselves in a patriarchal world. It celebrates the achievements of women who are not celebrities or historical figures. The film centers around women who have taken up careers that are somewhat unconventional. In doing so, the film speaks to the infinite possibilities open for women. As Geeta says in her final advice for all women, “there are many routes you can take.” This acknowledgment rebels against the traditional expectations for women which box them into certain paths and professions.
I thought the film succeeded in connecting three seemingly very different individuals to paint the larger portrait of women pushing against societal limitations.
I would rate this movie 5/5.
Ishana is a junior at Duke University. She is majoring in Literature with a minor in Cinematic Arts and Environmental Science. She enjoys watching and writing about films, as well as learning about filmmaking and production.
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