Mumbai Women Co-Direct Groundbreaking Documentary ‘Mast Mahila Mandali’

Ten women from a Mumbai slum neighborhood co-directed the documentary Mast Mahila Mandali (Cool Ladies Club), which premiered in April 2024 at Mumbai’s Regal theater, according to filmmaker Shilpi Gulati. The 70-minute film, produced through a collaboration with CORO India, showcases the daily lives of domestic workers, community health workers, and sanitation staff, challenging stereotypes about marginalized women.

Origins of the Project

The initiative began in 2024 as part of CORO India’s leadership training program for women in the M-east ward. Supriya Jan, executive producer of the film, aimed to highlight the group’s “Right to Pee” campaign advocating for public sanitation access. However, the project evolved into a broader exploration of women’s resilience, according to Gulati, who taught the group filmmaking basics over six months.

Learning to Film

Using five smartphones, the women worked in pairs to learn techniques like lighting and composition. Gulati designed weekly exercises, such as filming the Mumbai monsoon or interviewing each other about personal histories. “It was a wild experiment,” Gulati said, noting the women’s initial inexperience. Despite challenges, they completed a 70-minute documentary that blends intimate storytelling with activism.

Personal Transformations

Rehana Shaikh, a 32-year-old home caregiver, described the project as a “radical act of resistance.” She gained confidence by dancing in a kitchen scene, a moment she initially hesitated to include due to her husband’s concerns. “The other women encouraged me to embrace my passion,” Shaikh said. Darshana Mayekar, a 50-year-old toilet operator, called the experience “feeling young again.”

Impact and Recognition

The documentary, co-directed by 10 women and filmmaker Shilpi Gulati, was screened at Mumbai’s Regal theater for 1,200 attendees, including family members and media professionals. The women received $262 each for their work, with potential revenue from distribution deals shared through joint copyright. The film is set for submission to international festivals this summer, according to CORO India.

Why It Matters

The project aligns with global efforts to amplify women’s voices in media. Similar initiatives, like the 2023 “Women in Film” program in Kenya, have shown that marginalized groups can create impactful content when given resources. Mast Mahila Mandali underscores the power of storytelling as both personal empowerment and social change.