WOMB – Women of My Billion Film Review: A Foot Journey Through India’s Gender Violence and Inequality

😣👎 (Rating: 1/5)

Well, well, well! If it isn’t another documentary trying to “redefine” and “challenge” societal norms. This time, our brave heroine is Srishti Bakshi, who took it upon herself to walk across India, in search of answers about gender definitions, sexual assault, and domestic violence. Brilliant! A stroll across the country should surely solve all these issues, right? Wrong! 🤷‍♀️

Now, don’t get me wrong, the intentions were noble, and the cause, definitely worth fighting for. But this documentary, ‘WOMB – Women of My Billion,’ directed by Ajitesh Sharma and produced by the star-studded duo of Apoorva Bakshi and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, falls short on so many levels. Review Rani is here to tell you why. 😏

In a rather poetic sequence, Srishti asks a group of women to connect with their 11-year-old selves. Cue the sad music, close-ups of teary faces, and a collective weeping session. All awfully emotional, but isn’t it all a bit too predictable? Where’s the novelty or the real, raw emotion that should come with such a sensitive topic?

In 2016, a horrifying incident of sexual assault shook India to its core. This tragedy, along with countless other tales of gender violence, prompted Srishti, then working in Hong Kong, to quit her job and embark on her journey across India. And oh, what a journey it was! 230 days, 3800 kilometers, from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. Talk about a long walk for change! 🙄

Interlaced with Srishti’s journey are the stories of three brave women, Neha Rai, Pragya Singh, and Sangeeta Tiwari, who recount their experiences with domestic violence, marital rape, and acid attacks. Their stories are indeed heartbreaking, but the documentary’s attempt to capture their trauma feels forced and manipulative.

Srishti’s walk, too, is filled with distressing stories that seem to drain her mentally. Yet, the documentary fails to shed any light on her preparation for this journey or the workshops she conducted. We’re just expected to go along with it, without any context or understanding of her process.

Now, Review Rani doesn’t deny the importance of the issues that ‘WOMB – Women of My Billion’ tries to address. But the documentary’s approach, its lack of depth, and its failure to provide an overall perspective make it a difficult watch.

To wrap things up, ‘WOMB – Women of My Billion’ is like a half-baked cake – it has all the right ingredients, but it’s missing the magic that would make it truly delicious. Here’s hoping that the next documentary about gender inequality and violence can do a better job of stirring up the conversation and bringing about change.

Rani’s Wrap-Up: ‘WOMB – Women of My Billion,’ more like ‘WOMB – Waste Of My Billion Minutes Watching This.’ 😜👋