British Indian actress speaks out on the burqa controversy

France may be considering banning the burqa, but closer home, fundamentalist groups are up in arms against British-Indian actress Goldy Notay. She played the free-spirited Muslim woman in an Arab country, who throws off her purdah to have some innocuous fun in Sex & The City 2 (SATC 2).

About the sequence where her character Basimah throws off her purdah, she says: "Basimah comes from a well-to -do circle where women are smart, stylish and opinionated. Yet, women in purdah do exist and also have a strong voice. We tried to give them that in the scene, and I was a vehicle for that expression."

Notay, who also played Shabana Azmi's daughter in Gurinder Chadha's It's A Wonderful Afterlife, rises to the film's defence. "I think SATC 2 tried to be as sensitive as possible while poking fun. Feminism is a woman's personal choice. The film examined that, but favoured a more liberal way of life."

What was it like filming with the fab four of SATC? "I'm happy to report that all the girls eat carbs! They were very down-to-earth.

Sarah Jessica Parker (SJ on set) is really kind. One day, I had to wear four-inch heels and walk on a cobbled path. My heels started bleeding and I noticed SJ speaking to the director. Within minutes, people arrived, cleaned my feet, and gave me new shoes, all because of SJ!"

The bad reviews for the film haven't managed to get Notay down. "I've seen it twice, surrounded by sisters who responded with gusto and love."