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I found this movie to be very powerful, thought provoking and deeply moving. The plot and the perspective is simple yet out of the ordinary. The film depicts the harsh reality of everyday lives of numerous nameless, faceless men and women (read tribals) who live in abject poverty in nondescript remote villages. The protagonist of the film is a tribal housewife Nathuni (Tillotama Shome) who is saddled with a crippled husband and two growing children. She frequently undertakes a tedious dreary journey to the nearest to as a manual-labourer-cum-daily- wage earner. On that particular day (as the narrative opens) while on her way to town Nathuni accosts a stranger (another villager) by the name of Lakhua (Adil Hussein) who is also going to the same town in search off work. Since it’s a long journey over meadows fields and waterfalls the duo strike up a camaraderie. On the way they bump into a cart man named Chopatlal (Neeraj Kabi) whose carriage gets stuck in a swamp nearby. Chopatlal desperately seeks their help to dislodge the cart. Tired ed and famished they refuse. But when they discover to their horror that the occupants of the cart are a seriously ill beggar couple whom the driver is rushing to town for medical aid, they are moved. In the subsequent portion of the film we find the trio desperately struggling with the cart in pelting rain Soon after, they manage to reach the hospital and hand over the patients to the doctor on duty. By then it’s already evening and there is no scope for work. Hence the duo decide to spend the in a temporary roadside shelter after frugal refreshments. Seeing Nathuni fast asleep Lakhua gently looks after her before sinking into deep slumber himself. The following morning they are able to find work. After work and a wee bit of shopping Nathuni embarks on her overdelayed journey home. Lakhua decides to stay back (he has no family ) in hope of more income. He asks Nathuni to look for him when she comes round again. At this crucial juncture the director leaves the viewers to ponder this: Will they meet again? Or won’t they? Therein lies the master stroke of his artistic craft! The movie ends with the two of them going their separate carrying in their minds and hearts memories of some (albeit brief) emotionally charged hours.
Am a trained and experienced features writer with 25 plus years of experience .My favourite subjects are women's issues, food travel, art,culture ,literature et all.Am a true feminist at heart. An iconoclast read more...
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People say that women are the greatest enemies of women. I vehemently disagree. It is the patriarchal mindset that makes women believe in the wrong ideology.
The entire world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. It should be a joyful day, but unfortunately, not all women are entitled to this privilege, as violence against women is at its peak. The experience of oppression pushes many women to choose freedom. As far as patriotism is concerned, feminism is not a cup of tea in this society.
What happens when a woman decides to stand up for herself? Does this world easily accept the decisions of women in this society? What inspires them to be free of the clutches of the oppression that women have faced for ages? Most of the time, women do not get the chance to decide for themselves. Their lives are always at the mercy of someone, which can be their parents, siblings, husband, or children.
In some cases, women do not feel the need to make any decisions. They are taught to obey the patriarchal system, which makes them believe that they are right. In my family, I was never taught to make decisions on my own. It was always my parents who bought dresses and all that I needed.
14 years after her last feature film Dhobi Ghat, storyteller extraordinaire comes up with her new film, Laapataa Ladies, a must watch.
*Some spoilers alert*
Every religion around the world dictates terms to women. The onus is always on women to be ‘modest’ and cover their faces and bodies so men can’t be “tempted”, rather than on men to keep their eyes where they belong and behave like civilized beings. So much so that even rape has been excused on the grounds of women eating chowmein or ‘men will be men’. I think the best Hindi movie retort to this unwanted advice on ‘akeli ladki khuli tijori ki tarah hoti hai’ (an alone woman is like an open jewellery box) came from Geet in Jab We Met – Kya aap gyan dene ke paise lete hain kyonki chillar nahin hain mere paas.
The premise of Laapataa Ladies is beautifully simple – two brides clad in the ghunghat that covers their identity get mixed up on a train. Within this Russian Doll, you get a comedy of errors, a story of getting lost, a commentary on patriarchy’s attitude towards women, a mystery, and a tale of finding oneself, all in one. Done with a mostly light touch that has you laughing and nodding along.
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