Directed by Snigdha Kapoor, Oscar-qualified short film Holy Curse is about 11-year-old Radha’s struggle with “the complexities of gender identity while navigating the bodily changes of puberty”. When Radha visits India from America, her family is made to carry out the ‘remedies’ suggested by an astrologer for her queerness as they fear a curse is ‘distorting’ their daughter’s thinking. The 15-minute-long film, which premiered at the BFI London Film Festival and is currently streaming on The New Yorker’s YouTube channel, has global entertainer Lilly Singh as its executive producer.
In this interview, Lilly, an internationally-known comedian and content creator, and Snigdha Kapoor, a filmmaker based in the US and India, speak about telling stories related to gender and what it means to have true representation.
How did Lilly Singh become executive producer of Holy Curse?
Lilly Singh: When I got an email from Snigdha, I found the film’s title intriguing. I was surprised that in 15 minutes, I felt so many different emotions. I was laughing, got really emotional and even saw myself in it at some point. Snigdha’s storytelling is exceptional. The film is very on brand with me and everything I stand for. We can relate to this time in our life where we thought, ‘I don’t feel seen. I have to label myself this way or step into this box’. I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
Snigdha Kapoor: I’ve followed Lilly’s journey and how she has challenged and defied so many norms. I relate to the hustle and how she stood up for her voice and did not compromise on so many things.
Snigdha, what was your process of writing and then directing?
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Snigdha: What we experienced growing up or any emotions that we go through, they invariably become a part of our writing process. Growing up in India, I did not have the language, but I’ve lived in America for almost 13 years now. I was exposed to such a vast vernacular of these different labels and identities. When I wanted to write the story, it was going back to that central phase, which is such a formative phase, where we were evolving our sense of self and identity. So that’s where I was trying to go back to and from there take the story forward.
Lilly Singh with Snigdha Kapoor.
Lilly, so much of your work is about gender. How crucial is it for you to tell these stories?
Lilly: It’s everything. I remember I was on a panel once and one of my other panelists said, ‘People often come up to me and say, it seems like you have an agenda around gender’. She goes, ‘I do, I do have that agenda’. I remember learning a lot in that moment because a lot of times in my life, I have felt like it is an uncool topic. My whole brand is about gender equity. But sometimes we beat around the bush, we tiptoe around it. Us questioning all the things we’ve been taught is a better way to do all of this. Another important theme of the Holy Curse is us learning from younger people the importance of questioning. When we get older, we get so stuck in our ways.
We also have another strong Oscar contender in Homebound and there is a slight overlap of themes. Is it just a coincidence?
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Lilly: I don’t think it’s a coincidence. People are today writing and creating from their experiences things that are important to them. There needs to be room for these types of stories as well. Ones that have commentary on gender and ones that have commentary on caste or identity or faith. That’s when we really have true representation.
Going ahead, what kind of projects would you like to do related to India?
Snigdha: I am working on a feature which is set in India. It is tonally different from Holy Curse. I just want to explore myself as a storyteller.
Lilly: I’m working on two additional features as well. One is about Indian aunties who go on this wild girls’ trip.
Alaka Sahani is a prominent film critic and journalist based in Mumbai. With a career spanning over two decades, she has established herself as one of India’s most authoritative voices in cinematic journalism, known for an analytical approach and insights that transcend the standard cycle of celebrity journalism.
Expertise & Accolades
In 2014, Alaka was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Film Critic. Her Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) citation specifically lauded her for "highlighting facets of cinema beyond glamour and gossip" and for her ability to delve into the contemporary relevance of iconic filmmakers. Her commitment to journalistic integrity was further recognised in 2019 with a Special Mention at the Red Ink Awards for her investigative feature, 'In Search of a Star'. Her article titled 'People Like Us', published in The Indian Express on March 27, 2022, was shortlisted for Red Ink Award, 2023.
Global Industry Leadership
Alaka’s expertise is sought after by major international and domestic film bodies:
Golden Globes: In 2025, she joined the international voting body for the 83rd Annual Golden Globes.
National Film Awards: She served on the prestigious jury for the 68th National Film Awards, helping select the finest contributions to Indian cinema.
Global Perspective: Her work consistently bridges the gap between commercial Bollywood A-listers and emerging independent talents, offering nuanced insights into both Indian regional cinema and international film trends.
Focus & Vision
Beyond the screen, Alaka is a dedicated observer of Mumbai’s vibrant theatre scene and the historical evolution of the moving image. Through her long-form articles and deep-dive interviews, she continues to challenge "tried-and-tested" templates, providing readers with a deep understanding of the artistic and systemic workings of the Indian and global film industry. ... Read More
Lilly Singh with Snigdha Kapoor.