In a society obsessed with worshipping and praying to Goddesses or Devis, is the goddess of the home actually even respected? “Juice” directed by Neeraj Ghaywan portrays a realistic insight into Indian society and the position of men and women in their homes. The film translates a story about a large issue at its core of internalised patriarchy and misogyny. Neeraj Ghaywan’s short film is painful yet powerful. Manju Singh, played by Shefali Shah, is hosting a get-together with her husband for a couple of families. Among the hustle and bustle of food, drinks and chitchats, there is something deeply concerning and uncomfortable which seems normal. It’s an archaic saying, “A woman’s place is in the kitchen!”—in some ways even though we, as society, have claimed to gain progress, the sexist culture in India goes unaccounted for.
As a guest couple enters the house, the man is expected to be seated along with the other men in the living room, whereas the woman is expected to go to the kitchen with other women. The men have been blabbing about American politics, biological differences between men and women, and other topics of humour while continuously ordering their wives to get them snacks and drinks in the comfort of the air-conditioner. On the contrary, the women have been cooking in the kitchen with no ventilation; when the women avail themselves a small table fan, the men have no concern for women and whether or not they have any comfort in the kitchen. The kids are playing video games when the girl is called to serve the meal to the boys.
The interpretation of these scenes when viewed from multiple perspectives gives us an uncomfortable sense of bias that exists and goes unnoticed in the society. When the spectrum of perspectives are taken together as a whole only does one realise the situation of the women in this society.
The discussions in the kitchen are the epicentre of “Juice;” Manju Singh continues to cook even though she is hurt. One woman suggests another woman to have a child, since this is an expectation of the society. A pregnant woman is suggested to quit her job after she bears her child, some of the women give their examples as a model to look up to. However, some women oppose the same. While discussing these issues, men are still demanding their food to be served, and their drinks to be brought to the living room as if it is a command.
Ghaywan’s portrayal takes an unexpected turn, but, the entire approach shifts at the end of this film when Manju has had enough. Amidst the hustle of commands and noise, she grabs a glass of juice, enters the living room and sits in front of the air conditioner. The silence in the scene is nerve-wrenching as if the class system is broken, and the preordained position of women has been broken. The other women follow Manju only to the entrance of the living room but do not enter, as if they are unknowingly aware about their position.
Ghaywan has managed to portray the Indian homes in the most realistic way with no exaggeration, which compels the audience to review their thoughts about what gender equality is and are we actually living in a society that promotes it. “Juice” is just an example of many such incidents that women witness on a daily basis. What it takes is just one step of courage!
You can watch “Juice” here on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-Sk7fQGIjE
