Kiran Rao’s ‘Laapataa Ladies’ is a captivating rural drama. The movie delves into the theme of patriarchy, delivering an exceptional cinematic journey through its compelling storyline, humour, and suspense.
Laapataa Ladies Review:
- Rating: 4/5
- Cast: Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Srivastava, Ravi Kishan, Chhaya Kadam, Durgesh Kumar
- Writers: Biplab Goswami, Sneha Desai, Divyanidhi Sharma
- Director: Kiran Rao
- Duration: 122 minutes
Kiran Rao’s Directorial ‘Laapataa Ladies’ delves into the narrative of women who find themselves lost, both literally and metaphorically.
“Lapataa Ladies” is set in 2001 in the rural backdrop of the fictional Nirmal Pradesh. The narrative unfolds within a second-class train compartment, where a group of newlywed couples journey to their villages, with all the brides veiled in long ghoonghats.
Amidst the darkness of the night, Deepak (played by Sparsh Shrivastava) hastily disembarks from the train, clutching his wife’s hand as they make their way to his village.
Travelling first on a truck and then on a friend’s scooter, Deepak eagerly escorts his new bride to meet his family and neighbours.
Upon arriving in the village, they are greeted with warm welcomes and calls of “bahu aa gayi” and the children affectionately refer to her as “chachi.” However, when Deepak’s mother-in-law asks the new bride to lift her veil, intending to reveal familiar features, chaos ensues as they realize she is not the expected bride.
As the realization sinks in that he has brought the wrong woman, Jaya (played by Pratibha Ranta), Deepak can only fret about his true wife, Phool (played by Nitanshi Goel), who has been left behind on the train with no money or address. Thus begins a series of comical mishaps.
Kiran Rao, the director, presents this strongly feminist narrative with a hint of playful charm, shaping it not as a didactic lecture but as a relatable fairy tale rooted in reality. Amidst the weighty subjects explored, there’s an endearing and straightforward quality that fills each scene, rendering the story approachable and captivating.
Furthermore, its avoidance of sounding preachy is a bright spot in an otherwise repetitive movie scene where messages can become boring.
Star Performances:
The standout aspect of the movie is its stellar cast. Every actor delivers an outstanding performance, from the two girls, Phool and Jaya, who inadvertently switch lives, to Ravi Kishan’s portrayal of the corrupt but kind-hearted police officer. Chhaya Kadam also shines in her role as a railway platform food vendor, whose motto is to focus on her own affairs and remain cautious of overly friendly individuals.
Themes and Messages:
Filled with charming scenes, the film’s message is subtle, never overwhelming. Instead of dominating the entertainment factor, Rao skillfully employs humor and the symbolic use of veiled identity (ghunghat) to explore the underlying issues of patriarchy and its consequences. Through her light-hearted, slice-of-life narrative, she advocates for women’s empowerment, education, and equality without vilifying men or falling into stereotypes. For instance, a female character jests, “If you didn’t take dowry, there must be some flaw in the groom,” mocking a liberal man.
Conclusion:
In “Lapata Ladies,” Kiran Rao weaves a tale of resilience, friendship, and empowerment against the backdrop of rural India. Through its endearing characters and whimsical storytelling, the film delivers a poignant message about the strength of women in the face of adversity. As viewers embark on this journey with Phool and Jaya, they’re reminded that even in the darkest of times, there’s always hope for a brighter tomorrow.
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