Aamir Khan and Yuval Noah Harari at the event
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Yuval Noah Harari, renowned historian and the celebrated author behind books such as ‘Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind’ and ‘Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow’, on Saturday spoke about his latest book ‘Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI’ in a compelling discussion with Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan.

Hosted by Crossword Bookstores, in collaboration with Penguin Random House India, at The Lalit Mumbai, the event was moderated by psychiatrist Dr Rajesh Parikh.

The discussion delved into the profound implications of technological advancements on humanity, examining the intricate interplay between biology, technology, and consciousness. While speaking about Artificial Intelligence’s influence on human creativity, societal dynamics, and ethical framework, Aamir said, “Humanity holds the power to create, sustain, and destroy — symbolized by Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh in Indian philosophy. Today, we lean towards destruction, as unchecked consumption drives ecological collapse.

“Unlike animals in harmony with nature, we’ve exploited it at great cost. Yet, we can choose Vishnu — the path of sustenance. By redefining progress to nurture and protect life, we can become stewards of the Earth, ensuring it thrives for generations to come. The true challenge lies in our choice to sustain,” he added.

Yuval Noah Harari said that the future is shaped by today’s choices and that an advancement like AI has the potential to transform lives. “Yet, this power is concentrated in a few hands, risking global imbalance. To ensure AI benefits all, we need diverse voices guiding its development. My mission is to raise awareness of this revolution’s vast opportunities and dangers, empowering humanity to make informed decisions. Together, we can craft a future of collaboration, wisdom, and hope for generations to come,” he said.

The event came to a conclusion with an engaging Q&A session. Meanwhile, Aakash Gupta, CEO of Crossword Bookstores expressed his gratitude for having curated this event. “Hosting a conversation between two visionaries, Yuval Noah Harari and Aamir Khan, is a privilege that reflects our commitment to fostering intellectual discourse and a vibrant reading culture in India. This evening promises to be a celebration of knowledge, creativity, and the power of storytelling,” he said in a statement.

Yuval Noah Harari’s ‘Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI’ is now available at all Crossword bookstores

Getting shortlisted for an Oscar is a significant milestone for the well-crafted Laapataa Ladies from Aamir Khan Productions. It’s a delightful film, and we have yet to encounter anyone who has watched it and didn’t enjoy it. The theme is engaging, the songs are top-notch, and all the characters are developed with classic cinematic finesse.

However, does it differ from other movies that reinforce prevalent stereotypes about Indian women? Are Indian women really as lachaar (helpless) as depicted? And are all those who aren’t lachaar automatically either cunning, scheming or bitter?

First, let’s recap the movie. Set in rural India in 2001, it revolves around two brides: one so innocent that you feel pity for her, and the other an ambitious woman willing to go to great lengths to achieve her dreams. The ghoonghat-clad (veiled) women end up getting swapped on their way to their in-laws’ homes, sparking a chaotic bride hunt. Along the way, we encounter some interesting characters, both good and quirky.

A lot has been said and written about Laapataa Ladies already. That the movie is a turning point for feminist cinema in India, that it challenges deep-seated patriarchy discerningly, with sophisticated simplicity. The movie is indeed a tour de force that changes a lot of things for women-led cinema in India. Even so, for days after we watched the film for the first time, the nagging feeling of being deceived stayed. That feeling perhaps stemmed from the abject simplicity of things itself.

A Story Of Extremes

All the female characters are portrayed as either extremely helpless or extremely astute. There is no middle ground. The strongest among them, the operator of a tea stall at a railway station, is fiercely independent and therefore has to be bitter and loveless. This aligns with a common trope in Indian films: strong women are often depicted as bitter, violent, scheming, or emotionless figures. Must a woman necessarily embody one of these traits to be seen as strong and independent?

Then there’s a middle-aged woman who is entirely subservient and can’t even recall the last time she had a meal of her choice. Another character, the ‘jethani‘ (the wife of the husband’s elder brother), has stopped talking or smiling since her husband went to the city to earn a living.

There’s no denying that gender parity is a work in progress in India, as it is in many parts of the world. Systemic discrimination exists at all levels, from household to Parliament. However, a woman forever waiting for benevolence from others is a simplistic stereotype. And it’s one that aligns perfectly with the perceptions constructed over the years by colonisers, which unfortunately persist even decades after their departure. As Edward Said argued in his seminal work Orientalism, British and French imperialists perpetuated the notion that non-Western people were lazy, gullible, orthodox, unscientific, and driven by rigid dogmas. Non-Western women, in particular, were portrayed as helpless, ignorant, uneducated, servile, and dogmatic.

Is Society So Easily Absolvable?

The absolute simpleness of Laapata Ladies throws up other questions too. The experience of being a woman in India is not an ordinary one. Being heard as a woman, feeling safe as a woman, and being understood as a woman is a daily struggle. Most times, a woman, even if she wages these struggles, ends up being defeated by a society that refuses to change. Our contention then is with the dreamlike ease with which things just fall into place for Phool and Jaya once they decide to take fate into their own hands and to appeal to society’s conscience. Shyam Manohar, one of the most apt representations of India’s policing system, simply has a change of heart once he hears Jaya’s story. Jaya’s abusive husband, Pardeep, simply decides to back off when threatened. As for Phool, we couldn’t help but wonder what would become of her ‘ghoonghat‘ and the newfound confidence that would require her to shun it, once she left Manju Maai’s motherly refuge and went back with Deepak to a society that is oblivious to her own recent transformation.

Is women’s emancipation simply a matter of women’s self-growth then? Is the burden of change really so light, and must it be borne by women alone? Can society be absolved of its own guilt and wrongs so easily? Or, is society so incapable of change that a woman can be truly free only when she renounces it, like Manju Maai herself?

Bridging The Extremes

Despite various levels of discrimination, we have a history of strong, independent women – who may or may not be like Manju Maai – who laid a solid foundation for the future. A Deloitte report points to some progress, noting a “gradual increase in the number of board seats held by women across India Inc.”, with women occupying 18.3% of board seats in 2023, up from 13.8% in 2018. The report further indicates that “all sectors examined in the survey showed an increase in the number of women on boards in 2023 compared to 2018”. Parallelly, it’s also true that roughly three out of every 10 women in India are illiterate.

Naturally, we need dramatic improvements to bridge these two extremes. For that, India will need strong-willed women – not the helpless ones depicted in Laapataa Ladies –  and an equally accountable society. 

(Mayank Mishra is Consulting Editor, Vasudha Venugopal is Anchor and Political Editor, and Harshita Mishra is Assistant Editor (Opeds), at NDTV)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author

New Delhi:

In a rare and highly-anticipated event, Bollywood star Aamir Khan is in Supreme Court today for a special screening of the film ‘Laapata Ladies’. The movie is being screened for the judges, their families and officials of the registry with an aim of spreading awareness on gender equality. The event is part of the celebrations marking the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Supreme Court.

While announcing the actor’s arrival, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud put on his funny hat and said, “I don’t want a stampede in court. But Aamir Khan is here today.”

The screening will take place from 4.15 pm to 6.20 pm in the Auditorium of the C-block Administrative Building Complex.

The movie ‘Laapataa Ladies’ explores themes of gender equality and has been acclaimed for its thoughtful and poignant portrayal of social issues. The Supreme Court’s decision to feature this film underscores its commitment to promoting discussions on gender equality and social justice.

According to an official communication from the court’s administration, the screening will be attended by CJI Chandrachud, other judges of the Supreme Court, their partners, and officials from the court’s registry.

Aamir Khan, known for his commitment to social issues through his films, and Kiran Rao, who has directed the film, will be present to engage with the audience, making this screening a unique blend of cinema and judiciary.

‘Laapataa Ladies’ is based on the story of two young brides who get swapped in the train en route to their new husbands’ homes. Directed by Kiran Rao, the film stars Sparsh Shrivastav, Pratibha Ranta and Nitanshi Goel in lead roles. The film has been jointly produced by Jio Studios, Aamir Khan Productions, and Kindling Pictures.