Get ready to delve into the intricate world of female friendships with Deepali from Breakthrough as she hosts author and film and culture critic Deepanjana Pal, along with Nithila Kanagasabai, the author behind Yaari, an anthology of friendship by queer and womxn folks. From dissecting the gendered nature of friendship in society to analysing its portrayal in Hindi cinema, this episode leaves no stone unturned in exploring the nuances of women's relationships.

Deepanjana and Nithila discuss the limited portrayal of female friendships in contemporary cinema, and how central female characters often lack deep connections with other women and are instead depicted as isolated individuals. They reflect on the political implications of women's friendships in the media, highlighting their importance as sites of resistance against patriarchal norms. They also talk about the need for more screen time dedicated to authentic portrayals of female friendships and the power of meaningful connections among women.

Deepanjana Pal is a journalist and currently works as an Editor and Film Critic at Film Companion. She is the author of ‘Hush A Bye Baby’, ‘A Book for Puchku’, ‘Puchku Seeks a Song’, and ‘The Painter: A Life of Ravi Varma’.

Nithila Kanagasabai is an Assistant Professor at the School of Media and Cultural Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. She is also a Doctoral Candidate in the Advanced Centre for Women's Studies at TISS. She’s the author of 'Yaari: An Anthology on Friendship by Women and Queer Folx' that brings together 95 disparate voices from across South Asia, who have contributed a mix of essays, poems, and artwork.

Know more about Breakthrough’s work at https://inbreakthrough.org/

Our Guests:

Nithila Kanagasabai

Deepanjana Pal

Find them on social media

Instagram @InBreakthrough

Twitter @InBreakthrough

Facebook @InBreakthrough

Or email us if you have questions contact@inbreakthrough.org / contact@maed.in

This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in

Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome

Head of Audio Production: Kartik Kulkarni

Producer: Meghna Gulati

Sound Editing & Mixing: Ishaan Devasthali

Artwork: Alika Gupta