Figurations of Fallible Women: The Art and Act of Writing by Juhi Chaturvedi

Abstract

This chapter develops from a longer book project (2017), as well as an on-going audio-visual documentation project (titled The Shadow and Arc Light) concerning women, work, and the Indian film industry. In a manner of speaking, ‘women’ screenwriters are few and far between in Indian contexts, although, recent researches have shown how women were involved with the act ‘writing’ (as well as with directing, producing, and with other departments), since the early period, despite being un-credited and thus, shrouded in enigma. Through my work, I explore subjects of gender and labor in the film industry (Economic & Political Weekly, 57(22), 60–68, 2022), and drawn attention to the pivotal role essayed by women as writers (Frontline, 38(22), 43–48, 2021). I situate my work within the framework of feminist historiography, and revisit Juhi Chaturvedi’s films in the light her interview (conducted by me during February 2020), and subjects of work and desire. By weaving inter-textual connections, I argue that Chaturvedi’s interview and her films speak to each other, and alert us about a longer history of discreet interpositions shaped by women, and the ways in which women leak out as ‘authors’ of films. I enquire about the nature of film work, questions of creative labor, leisure, fatigue, health, workspace, working conditions in the industry as well as of experiences of space and time(s). The title “Figurations of Fallible Women” therefore signifies the affection and ambiguity concerning women who work in the industry.