Go watch this. Take your sons along. Daughters too.
Some spooky coincidence that I watch an awareness commercial on domestic violence, Bell Bajao from Little Lamb Films; and the same day I end up landing at the theater to watch Thappad. Although Thappad is not just a commentary on borderline domestic abuse. But a social study of the subtle gender divides that permeate our subconscious.
It addresses all that in the symbol of "sirf ek thappad", which lands on a wife's share but only she cannot see any of it herself. Even if she does, she is conditioned to take it on her stride, as if she deserves it all. Seven women, whose lives entangle in a common narrative thread of love and loss play a collective lead in the movie. Tapsee Pannu holds your attention at the center stage. Sharing a slice of her life is her mother, mother in law, would be sis in law, her neighbour, her domestic help, and her lawyer. Each supporting character lends an aspect to a woman's struggle.
Without the Bollywood sentimental extravaganza, Anubhav Sinha does perfect justice to the story with nuanced frames capturing each shade of natural emotion. Almost every character is at a loss to figure out how a one-time slap unwittingly served in a moment of sheer frustration can lead to such brouhaha. What they, like everyone else overlook is that the slap is not just a slap. It is just the tip of a century old iceberg gathering generations of accumulated wifely sacrifices at the alter of marriage.
The casting is superlative, the script flawless and acting merits a standing ovation. Music could have been better. But that doesn't strip any of the film's excellence.
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