Director Leena Yadav, along with actors Tannishtha Chatterjee, Radhika Apte and Surveen Chawla discuss “desire as a guilt-free choice for women” in regards to their film Parched, releasing in India on September 23, 2016.

The panel discussion was organised by the Gender Forum at Ramjas College, Delhi University on September 22. The panelists discuss the surprisingly open conversations they had with women in rural India. They also talk about the restrictions women face when they express their desire for love, sex, or things as simple as dressing up in a certain way.

Set in rural north-west India, Parched explores the lives of three women who are confronted with issues like child marriage, domestic violence, rape and infertility. The film presents the strong bond of friendship between these women as they struggle to find comfort and courage in each other.