Writing with Fire is a documentary film directed by Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh that follows a group of Dalit women in India who run their own newspaper called Khabar Lahariya. The newspaper is published in rural Uttar Pradesh, one of India's most traditional and casteist regions, and is the only newspaper in the country run entirely by Dalit women.
The film follows the journalists as they go about their daily lives, reporting on a range of issues, from local politics to women's rights. With just a smartphone and a bicycle for transportation, they brave the challenges of a patriarchal society, where they are often met with hostility and suspicion.
The journalists also face challenges within their own homes, where their work is not always appreciated by their families. However, they persist, driven by a desire to tells stories that are often ignored by mainstream media. They also dream of turning their newspaper into a multimedia platform that can reach a wider audience.
Writing with Fire is a powerful exploration of the transformative power of journalism, and the courage and resilience of women who refuse to be silenced. It is a timely reminder that the fight for equality and justice is far from over, and that the voices of marginalized communities must be heard if we are to have a truly inclusive society.
