“My films attempts to bring to light the three
words that damages the lives of millions of women in three seconds,” says an
emotional filmmaker Aleena Khan on her film Code Blue all set to premiere at
the Berlin Film Festival.
Based on Triple Talaq, the controversial law that
allows Muslim men to end their marriage by stating ‘Talaq’ three times in oral,
written or electronic form – Aleena Khan’s film illustrates the impact of the
instant divorce prevalent in the Muslim community, many of whom follow the
Hanafi Islamic school of law.
The practice of Triple Talaq where the divorce is
instantaneous and sometimes for frivolous reasons, and brings to practice Nikah
Halala, where the divorced Muslim woman needs to consummate a second marriage
if she wants to go back to their first husband.
While Muslim women’s organization Bharatiya Muslim
Mahila Andolan (BMMA) has been instrumental in opposing the law, practicing
Muslim doctor, Aleena Khan wants t use the medium of movies to bring to light,
the lives of such women who find their lives shattered with this instant
divorce practice.
Aleena Khan felt traumatized when she encountered
cases of women having to endure the mistreatment and misuse of the oral Talaq
system. “I once had a pregnant woman whose husband gave her a Talaq for no
reason. A Muslim man cannot divorce his wife when she is pregnant. However, the
man, with the support of religious representatives, went scot-free and with the
belief that his action is approved by the Qur’an and the Hadith,” says an angry
Aleena Khan.
“In a highly patriarchal society, it is not easy
to live with dignity when you are the victim of an instant divorce and not
literate enough to fend for yourself and your children. Such women are
victimized easily. But I want every woman to rise and find her true self. Code
Blue should inspire millions,” she avers.
Stating the concept of Triple Talaq in one sitting
or instant Talaq being alien to Qur’an, Aleena Khan feels that a film would be
the best to bring to light the trials and tribulations of the victims. “A
Muslim woman today wants legal protection. Instant Triple Talaq takes place
though it is unconstitutional and we need it to be criminalized.”
The BMMA survey endorses Aleena Khan’s views as
their survey shows that 90 per cent of Indian
Muslim women wanted a ban on the unilateral divorce while the governments of
Islamic Nations like Pakistan and Saudi Arabia do not recognize Triple Talaq,
it still is being practiced despite the Law in India, a nation with the
third-largest Muslim population in the world.
It was not easy for Aleena Khan to make the film
though. She had face opposition at every step. “But my family stood by me and
that is all that matters,” smiles Aleena Khan. “There is no point in speaking
of the need for a change. You need to be the change.”
Code Blue, is made in association with Rahat Kazmi
Films, and features Alok Nath, Rishi Bhutani, Sushmita Mukerji and Aleena Khan
in lead roles. The movie is all set for a World Premiere at the Berlin Film
Festival.
