'Cathartic experience': Shefali Shah celebrates 24 years of 'Monsoon Wedding'
What's the story
Shefali Shah, who played Ria in the 2001 film Monsoon Wedding, recently celebrated its 24th anniversary. In a long Instagram post, she reflected on how the role gave voice to many women. The film, directed by Mira Nair and written by Sabrina Dhawan, won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. It also starred Naseeruddin Shah and Lillete Dubey.
Post details
'Monsoon Wedding' was like 1 big family: Shah
Shah shared a video from the film and wrote, "Monsoon Wedding was actually like one big family coming together for a wedding." "We all did group yoga in the morning, then a big breakfast that @pagliji got from her home. This was followed by a workshop by Naseer bhai, and then post-lunch Mira worked with us on individual scenes."
Character impact
'Ria became the voice of so many girls'
Shah further wrote, "I didn't realize how this film and Ria would become the voice of so many girls who had gone through it, then and till date." "When I did the film it was a cathartic experience, but I think I was focusing more on the creative process." "But later from the outside, I could see her churning up the latent strength that lies in every woman."
Character evolution
'Ria shed her guilt, repudiated shame'
Shah added, "Guilt and shame is ingrained in us. She disowned it and put it on the person who was responsible for causing the damage." "She shed her guilt, she repudiated shame, and stood up for herself, and along with herself, unknowingly she became a voice for all those women who had stayed silent for so long." The film was released in India on November 30, 2001.