Multi-award-winning filmmaker Vibha Bakshi is widely acclaimed for her documentaries Son Rise (2019) and Daughters of Mother India (2015).

The former follows the journey of men breaking the shackles of patriarchy in Haryana. The latter explores the aftermath of the brutal gang rape and murder of Nirbhaya in 2012.

Bakshi acknowledges that while tackling such sensitive topics, there is always the option of sensationalising the narrative, but she refrains from it.

For her, the only narrative worth driving is one of hope. “Without hope, no fight can be won and this [patriarchy] is a fight we cannot afford to lose.”

She offers a glimpse into her process, citing examples from her work. “We gained access to the Delhi Police right after the incident. Naturally, I saw the good, bad and ugly of the case,” she says.

While she could very well have chosen a narrative that was fodder for controversy, she decided to tell a story of hope and courage.

The same approach shaped Son Rise. Before shooting began, Bakshi recalls facing the khap panchayats of North India.

“I knew I was bad news here. It dawned on me that, as a woman, I had just entered the seat of patriarchy. The khap leader was not welcoming to being questioned.”

But during the course of shooting, his mindset was transformed. The same man who defied Bakshi’s position went on to advocate for change in over 800 villages!

As Son Rise travelled across the globe from municipal schools in remote India to well-heeled societies abroad, it became clear how gender stereotype is a problem across the world.

And with every story of hers, Vibha Bakshi attempts to change this. Each mindset change is a battle won.