Director Madhumita Calls for Gender-Neutral Recognition in Film Industry
Director Madhumita urges media to refer to her simply as a director rather than a female director during her films trailer launch.
Mumbai, November 4 (Daily Kiran) : Director Madhumita is making headlines with her upcoming psychological thriller, “John Doe,” featuring actor Arjun Das in the lead role. During the trailer launch event, she made a heartfelt appeal to the media and film critics.
Madhumita requested that she be referred to simply as a “director” rather than a “female director.” She believes that attaching gender to a director’s title creates preconceived notions about the film even before its release.
Having received acclaim for her previous film “KD Angira Karuppudurai,” Madhumita expressed her desire to explore a variety of genres. “I want to work across all genres and not leave any unexplored,” she stated. “However, a common thread in all my films will be human emotions, which I consider my unique selling point.”
She emphasized her request to the media: “When you review a film, please do not mention that it is good or bad for a female director. Simply state whether the film is good or bad. That is your right.”
Madhumita explained her reasoning further, saying, “This doesn’t mean I am not proud to be a woman. But when gender is added to a title, it can create a specific image before the film is even made. People assume that female directors will only make romantic or light-hearted films. So, I ask to be referred to simply as a director.”
As for “John Doe,” anticipation has been building since the trailer’s release. It begins with a young boy and his older sister who venture out at night for snacks. When the sister becomes distracted, she asks her brother to fetch an ice cream for her. After a while, she realizes he is missing and rushes home to inform their mother. Together, they begin the search for the child, but clues are scarce.
The trailer reveals that the family has recently moved from Dubai to India. The police are notified of the child’s disappearance, leading officers Arjun Das and Sanjana Natarajan to investigate. Initially, it appears to be a case of a missing child, but as the investigation unfolds, deeper mysteries emerge.
The film showcases Arjun Das in the role of Chandru, marking his debut as a police officer on screen. Produced under the banner of Arka Media Works, known for blockbusters like “Baahubali,” the film is co-produced by Kishore Kedari and Madhumita, with Soumya Sharma serving as the creative producer.
“John Doe” is set to hit theaters on November 13.
