Filmmaker Aleena Khan’s film ‘Code Blue’ has been selected for screening at the Berlin Film Festival this year. The film is based on triple talaq, a controversial law in Muslim, which allows a husband to abandon his wife just by saying the word ‘Talaq’ thrice in oral, written or electronic form. A lot of women are suffering due to the injustice done to them by their husbands.
“My films attempts to bring to light the three words that damage the lives of millions of women in three seconds,” says filmmaker. Aleena wants to use this medium to showcase the destroyed life of women who go through this instant divorce practice.
She tells about her encounter with such victims which left her traumatized. “I once knew 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,” says Aleena.
She further adds, “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. A Muslim woman today wants legal protection. Instant Triple Talaq takes place though it is unconstitutional and we need it to be criminalized.”
Aleena smilingly reveals that it was not easy for her to make a film on such topic but her family supported her on this journey. He says, “There is no point in speaking of the need for a change. You need to be the change.”
‘Code Blue’ stars Alok Nath, Rishi Bhutani, Sushmita Mukerji and Aleena Khan in lead roles.