Synopsis
A sharp satire, Kiran Rao's return to direction after 14 years stuns you with its clever social commentary and heartfelt sisterhood.
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Laapataa Ladies Movie Review : Smashes patriarchy with sass and substance
Critic's Rating: 4.0/5
Story: Trouble ensues when two young brides Phool Kumari (Nitanshi Goel) and Pushpa (Pratibha Ratna) get accidentally swapped during a train journey. Phool’s hapless husband Deepak Kumar (Sparsh Shrivastav) seeks help from a corrupt cop Shyam Manohar (Ravi Kishan), adding to the chaos.
Review: Kiran Rao’s directorial debut ‘Dhobi Ghat’ was a haunting, almost voyeuristic portrait of shattered hope, and dreams in Mumbai. Set in rural India, Laapataa Ladies, a sharp satire, is her return to direction after 14 years and the dramedy stuns you with its clever social commentary and heartfelt sisterhood.
Laced with delightful moments, the messaging isn't overbearing. It never overshadows the entertainment quotient as Rao masterfully uses humour and veiled identity (ghunghat) to reflect upon deep-seated patriarchy and its repercussions. Her light-hearted, slice-of-life storytelling makes a solid case for women empowerment, education, and equality without disparaging men or succumbing to prejudice. “Dowry nahi liya toh ladke mein khot hogi”, comments a female character mocking a liberal man.
Family friendly and acutely observed, Biplab Goswami and Sneha Desai’s story and script provide food for thought. Every character is flawed but likeable, especially the corrupt but conscientious Shyam Manohar. Ravi Kishan is outstanding in his portrayal of a man, who is both greedy and just. The lead new faces do a commendable job, too.
The film’s most memorable scene sums up the movie’s intent perfectly. Hardened by life, a middle-aged tea stall owner Manju (an impeccable Chhaya Kadam who sort of replays her Sairat character) chooses to live alone instead of tolerating disrespect and domestic violence. She tells Phool, “If those who love you have a right to hit you, I exercised my right, too. (mic drop! No Animal was harmed in the making of this one liner).”
A girl is never smart, she is over smart. A woman is not clever, she is cunning. Laapataa Ladies tramples these age-old narratives by stating loud and clear, “A ‘respectable’ girl is the biggest fraud in society’, as it conditions her to not question the status quo. The story doesn’t allow women to play the victim card either. It sternly says, “It’s not shameful to be a fool but being proud of one’s ignorance is a shame.”
A delectable blend of heart, mind, and humour, this one’s an absolute winner.
Review: Kiran Rao’s directorial debut ‘Dhobi Ghat’ was a haunting, almost voyeuristic portrait of shattered hope, and dreams in Mumbai. Set in rural India, Laapataa Ladies, a sharp satire, is her return to direction after 14 years and the dramedy stuns you with its clever social commentary and heartfelt sisterhood.
Laced with delightful moments, the messaging isn't overbearing. It never overshadows the entertainment quotient as Rao masterfully uses humour and veiled identity (ghunghat) to reflect upon deep-seated patriarchy and its repercussions. Her light-hearted, slice-of-life storytelling makes a solid case for women empowerment, education, and equality without disparaging men or succumbing to prejudice. “Dowry nahi liya toh ladke mein khot hogi”, comments a female character mocking a liberal man.
Family friendly and acutely observed, Biplab Goswami and Sneha Desai’s story and script provide food for thought. Every character is flawed but likeable, especially the corrupt but conscientious Shyam Manohar. Ravi Kishan is outstanding in his portrayal of a man, who is both greedy and just. The lead new faces do a commendable job, too.
The film’s most memorable scene sums up the movie’s intent perfectly. Hardened by life, a middle-aged tea stall owner Manju (an impeccable Chhaya Kadam who sort of replays her Sairat character) chooses to live alone instead of tolerating disrespect and domestic violence. She tells Phool, “If those who love you have a right to hit you, I exercised my right, too. (mic drop! No Animal was harmed in the making of this one liner).”
A girl is never smart, she is over smart. A woman is not clever, she is cunning. Laapataa Ladies tramples these age-old narratives by stating loud and clear, “A ‘respectable’ girl is the biggest fraud in society’, as it conditions her to not question the status quo. The story doesn’t allow women to play the victim card either. It sternly says, “It’s not shameful to be a fool but being proud of one’s ignorance is a shame.”
A delectable blend of heart, mind, and humour, this one’s an absolute winner.
In-depth Analysis
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