AE: We never see a wedding take place between the women because of the traumatic events that occurred with Jo. Do you believe Frieda will get to the point where she can go through with the wedding, or would not having her favorite cousin there be too much for her?
SDJ: I think she definitely would. We wrote all our eulogies on our own. In me saying that she will remain in my heart and no harm should ever come to her, it’s sort of me coming to terms with the reality of the situation and dealing with it once and for all, as opposed to carrying it forward. Given that, the joy that she brought into all our lives, and especially into mine, would at some point allow me to be able to celebrate because I would have known that’s what she would’ve wanted. It would take some time though, for sure.
AE: Still on that note, what do you think about the change in tone in the film? A large part of the first half is very light, but the same can’t be said for the second half. Do you think that’s just a truer reflection of the society these women live in?
SJD: We represent in the film the model liberal society. What happens to us is, of course, a terribly unfortunate series of events. But I think it took that sudden turn in order for it to be as impactful as it was.
Because we had so much input and so many wonderful scenes, it would still be a film that was mostly filled with joy. Even if it were to be extended, it would only be in the very end that it got cruel. Because other than that, all the issues were mostly on their way to being resolved. It sort of in a way reflects what’s going on in this world. We are moving forward as a country and as a nation and we are becoming more liberal. Women are becoming stronger–they’re voicing their opinion now. I’m surrounded by supportive men. All my friends are surrounded by them as well. I’m an internal optimist: there is hope. There always is hope. But there is always that sort of shadow in the background of fear and of the fact that you might turn that wrong corner on that one day. That hasn’t gone, and I think in its sudden nature in the film, it just goes to show it’s never going to be enough of us trying, of us speaking out, of us fighting, until it is enough. And when that change will happen, your guess is as good as mine, but I think that up until then we need to keep walking down that road and keep pushing the boundaries and the limits as much as possible because it’s just time.
AE: Staying with your hopes for the film, is it your hope that it’ll spark further conversation in India about same-sex relationships? After all, as the film rightly points out, these two women who love each other can’t actually get married in the legal sense.
SJD: Yeah. It has already. The film has definitely sparked off a lot of conversations. It’s a spark that needs to be fuelled now. There are activists all over the country, and there are movements all over the country. But we have a long way to go when it comes to these things.
AE: Finally, I wanted to ask if you would be open to playing a queer character again?
SJD: Yes. Without a doubt. I’m very tempted to quote a Katy Perry song, but I won’t.
AE: Wait, which one? “The” one?
SJD: “The” one. I mean, come on.
AE: So, you “liked it”?
SJD: Yeah, I did. I totally did. I totally, totally did. Most girls do, you know. Most girls actually do.
AE: You don’t have to tell me.
SJD: Yeah. So yeah, I absolutely would. It was a wonderful experience. You know, I just… I’ve often toyed with the idea–I don’t mean to say “toy” lightly. It’s just that there was a very large point in my life where–I don’t know if a lot of girls go through this, but I was just like, “I’ve had it with men. I can’t do this anymore.” And I’ve always been attracted to women anyway. And the thing is that while I didn’t have any friends who were gay, I was trying to figure this out in my head. I was like, “What would you feel like? What would it be like to be with a woman?” And all I kept thinking was it would be so wonderfully nurturing to be with a woman. Because the thing is that while I love boys, and I love my boyfriend to bits, there’s just a certain understanding that I have with my girlfriends. It’s almost unspoken, that relationship, that understanding, that connection. And it’s irreplaceable. I developed that with each and every one of these women that we shot with. We had that relationship, which has survived till date. We each have each other’s back. And if you’re blessed and one of them is your lover, then I can’t imagine the unstoppable force that it would be. There’s a deep-rooted strength in womanhood, which I feel now more than ever. I’m still in awe of it. I’m still in awe of that experience.
Angry Indian Goddesses plays in Toronto at the Inside Out LGBT Film Festival on June 4. Visit the film’s Facebook page to keep up with future screenings.
