Today, our host Soumya is in conversation with two standup comics: Abish Mathew and Manjeet Sarkar to discuss the representation of men in pop culture and how the norm is evolving from the angry young man to more layered characters.

From reminiscing about childhood influences in Hindi and Malayalam cinema, to finding resonance in the works of Satyajit Ray, they discuss how everyday conversations at work and home have evolved over the years to include kinder, and more in depth perspectives. They also touch upon themes like the need for unlearning and relearning, the lack of a vernacular in regional languages to express ideals of feminism, and the very pronounced urban vs rural divide.

Abish Mathew started his career as a prime time radio host for Hit 95 FM, before becoming a comedian. Today, he is a formidable force in the comedy circuit and runs his own enterprise called Absurdist Studios through which he hosts his shows Son of Abish & Journey of a Joke.

Manjeet Sarkar is a stand-up comic who has been breaking new ground in comedy for over six years. He’s recently produced, directed and released a compelling documentary called Untouchable: Laughing Out Caste. He’s currently on a world tour with his standup solo show and feature film.

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

Our Guests:

Abish Mathew

Manjeet Sarkar

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: Kartik Kulkarni

Artwork: Alika Gupta

In this episode of Keeping it Feminist, our host Deepali welcomes seasoned film critic Sucharita Tyagi; and Monisha Singh Katial, a former creative head at Balaji Telefilms who has since ventured into film production. Together, they delve into the pressing theme of women storytellers behind the scenes.

We examine how the dynamics of women's representation in television scripting and production differ from those on the silver screen, and OTT platforms. From discussions on the impact of commercialisation and societal norms on storytelling to the role of film criticism in shaping public discourse, the episode offers a nuanced exploration of women's voices in the entertainment industry.

Monisha Singh Katial began her career by conquering the country's popular imagination with the mother of all saas bahu sagas on Television – Kyunki Saas Bhi Bahu Thi; and moved on to making much varied content on small and big screen. Having been the first creative head at Balaji Telefilms with Ekta Kapoor and going on to work at UTV and zoOm, she’s currently producing a feature film, podcasts, is a theatre actor and an entrepreneur.

Sucharita Tyagi started her career as radio jockey in Delhi before becoming one of the leading film critics in the country right now. Having also been associated with Film Companion in the past, she’s worked hard over the years to promote the need for women reclaiming their own narratives and you can check out a lot of her content helmed under the hashtag: Women Telling Women’s Stories.

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

Our Guests:

Monisha Singh Katial

Sucharita Tyagi

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: Kartik Kulkarni

Artwork: Alika Gupta

Join our host Soumya as she chats with journalist, author, and researcher, Sameera Khan, and Nivedita Prakasam, a standup comic based out of Mumbai, as we unpack the multifaceted challenges women encounter in public spaces. From the pervasive risks women face for simply utilising public spaces to the conditional access contingent upon proving their purpose and conforming to societal norms of respectability, we explore the nuanced ways in which gender dynamics intersect with urban design and social structures.

Our discussion extends to the digital realm, where women contend with rampant online harassment, censorship, and the normalisation of violence against them. We examine the impact of media representation on societal perceptions of women, highlighting the limited agency afforded to female characters and the urgent need for more authentic narratives that celebrate women's autonomy.

We confront the pervasive gender inequalities that persist in Indian society, advocating for tangible steps towards creating safer and more inclusive environments for women everywhere. Tune in to discover how we can collectively work towards dismantling patriarchal structures and fostering a culture of respect, equality, and empowerment for all genders.

Niveditha Prakasam is a standup comedian based out of Mumbai. She was also a part of Ladies Up, an all women, no holds barred comedy Netflix Special in 2020.

Sameera Khan is a Mumbai-based independent journalist, researcher and co-author of the book, Why Loiter: Women & Risk on Mumbai Streets (Penguin-Random House) which examines women’s access to public space. She is also a media trainer, guiding journalists on how to cover violence against women.

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

Our Guests:

Niveditha Prakasam

Sameera Khan

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