'Writer's responsibility goes beyond gender'

Lyricist and screenwriter Kausar Munir, who has collaborated with filmmaker Kabir Khan to write the story of docu-drama Roar of the Lion, says she believes in projecting every character in the right manner responsibly, not just women.

Asked if she feels an extra sense of responsibility to present women in a progressive manner because she is a female writer herself, Kausar said: "I think my responsibility as a writer goes beyond the gender that I represent. Whether I am a man or a woman, I suppose I try to present characters (in writing) in a progressive manner, in a just and fair manner. I do not think the gender of the writer comes there."

Citing an example, she said: "When Kabir called me to be a part of the project for writing the story, he did not think about the fact that if I, being a woman, would be interested in cricket and if I watch it. It was more to do with whether as a writer, I know my job. Gender does not come there."

"Having said that, yes, we are living in a patriarchal society and every human being has the responsibility that goes beyond gender, cast, race... where things and matters should be represented rightly, and certainly not in an offensive manner," she added.

To that, Kabir said: "I think it is not just the responsibility of women, but more so of men. As a man, one has to be gender sensitive, and when I am showing a female character in my film, my belief system will reflect on that character... I believe women are strong and I cannot show them in a derogatory manner."

"No, not from an activist's point of view to make a statement all the time, but it has to be humane. And that comes inherently from a sensitive mind. We have to be mindful on everything."