The stigma and stereotypes attached to Kamathipura often seep into the lives of the residents in the area — an unsaid side of the neighbourhood which has found a platform in the documentary of 20-year-old Arnav Pagawad (Story by Divyasha Panda)
Updated On: 2025-04-29 04:19 PM IST
Compiled by : Raaina Jain
An overview of the 12th lane in Kamathipura (File Pic)
The documentary ‘Beyond the Brothels–The Kamathipura Story’ seeks to talk about other inhabitants of the area, and highlight stories that didn’t make it to mainstream narratives
A man works on a machine in a factory in the locality
“Most media accounts of Kamathipura are about the commercial sex work that happens there, and while that is true, people don’t see it beyond that perspective,” Pagawad, the director of the film, confesses
Workers at a metal fabrication workshop in Kamathipura
The cinematic lens steers clear of the brothels to focus on the crammed chawls and buildings, shops, temples and everyday lives of the factory workers and local residents
Shri Pochamma Devi Temple on 11th Lane in Kamathipura
As revealed by the director, the documentary touches upon issues of housing, how the communal riots of 1993 impacted the people in the neighbourhood, the lore behind the Shri Pochamma Devi Temple in the area, among other aspects
The group during a shoot for the documentary
The documentary will be out on YouTube on May 1
Read full story: Making a case for Kamathipura: This documentary highlights unexplored stories of the locality
