I'm Going To Marry This Boy

Radha Mehta

Director(s): Radha Mehta

An unlikely romance in India at a time when women weren't allowed the freedom of choice.

Filmmaker's Statement:
This short film depicts the love story of Hansa, a religious devotee and family loyalist, who choose to defy her widowed mother's wish for an arranged marriage to a wealthy, older, and established man. Hansa's story is unique given that in India, most women are required to do an arranged marriage per their parent's wishes. Only recently in the past decade have women started to take a stand against arranged marriages if their desire was to choose a marriage partner for themselves. Hansa was bold and defiant in choosing this forbidden path back in the 1960s, often putting herself in danger as a lone woman walking amongst the streets of Mumbai just so she could meet her love interest on secret dates. Against all odds, Hansa successfully married her love interest, Vipin, and have since emigrated to the US with a beautiful relationship that continues to stand the test of time of 45+ years. This story intends to spark the conversation around the power of women's intuition and freedom of choice, especially in patriarchal and male-centric societies. If women were allowed to choose who and what to love rather than be suppressed and forced to be with someone against their will, perhaps beautiful things could become of it including raising children who lead with love, who practice freedom with responsibility, and who pay their good deeds forward to those around them. A world led by love is much more powerful and sustainable than the world we see in the news today.

Story featuring Hansa Mehta
Directed / Produced / Edited by Radha Mehta
Music by Dexter Britain