Author-turned-filmmaker Aditya Kripalani decided to adapt his 2015 book Tikli and Laxmi Bomb into a film of the same title. Starring Vibhawari Deshpande, Chitrangada Chakraborty, Suchitra Pillai, Upendra Limaye and Saharsh Kumar Shukla, depicting the lives of sex workers in Mumbai. Though the film will not release in India, Tikli and Laxmi Bomb with its noir feel has made its way to international streaming giant Netflix.
For the unversed, both the book and the film trace the life of two frustrated sex workers who come together to start a cooperative in order to eliminate the middlemen in sex work. Putul (Chitrangada Chakraborty), a newbie in the business, and a veteran Laxmi Malwankar (Vibhawari Deshpande) bond over the idea and believe that for them to call the shots. They wish to make their business for the women and by the women.
Take a look at the trailer here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=VQUFwrP0Cww
As the two women device a plan to liberate themselves from male exploitation, the audience has certainly made a connection with their idealistic endeavor. Talking about the revolution in the tabooed sex industry, the film tackles with the idea of feminism and gender inequality beautifully. From the dark locations (mostly Mumbai streets at night) to the costumes and dialogues, Aditya has dealt the bold storyline with great sensitivity.
Interestingly, apart from picking an entirely woman-oriented subject, the filmmaker had an all-women team on the sets, except for him of course. Although his film was targeted for the poster and use of the word 'Laxmi' in a film based on sex workers, Aditya has won several accolades across the globe. Tikli And Laxmi Bomb won Best Feature at the 10th Berlin Independent Film Festival apart from being an official selection at the Jaipur International Film Festival 2018 and the only Indian film at the New Zealand Asia Pacific Film Festival.
Will the sisterhood get through the trials and tribulations against the men? Who or what is Tikli? To know the answers, watch the progressive film, which is currently streaming on Netflix.
