A movie filled to the brim with innocence and purity yet relaying some of the strongest messages on society, feminism, and corruption, Laapataa Ladies is a film that undoubtedly needs to make its way to your Netflix watchlists. Oozing with satirical prowess and raw storytelling, it serves as a refreshing palate cleanser from the glitz and glam that engulfs the Bollywood industry. Packed with scenes that deeply impact viewers, the film touches upon umpteen issues that leave much food for thought. The perfect pick for a family movie night, this Indian number will surely conjure insightful dinner table conversations!
Laapataa Ladies is set in the year 2001, a time when rural India was almost entirely void of technology and bore the brunt of poor accessibility. As the title suggests, the film tells the story of newlywed women Jaya (Pratibha Ranta) and Phool Kumari (Nitanshi Goel), who accidentally get separated from their respective husbands while traversing to their new homes aboard a railway train. The ensuing events are chaotic, to say the least, as viewers watch the protagonists struggle to resolve the inadvertent swap while dealing with the slew of hurdles in their path. Laapataa Ladies is a feminist masterpiece directed by Kiran Rao, who also serves as producer alongside Aamir Khan and Jyoti Deshpande. Let’s dive into it!
Laapataa Ladies’ Unambiguous Nod Towards Social Issues Makes It a Refreshing Watch
Set in 2001 in the fictional state of Nirmal Pradesh, Laapataa Ladies does a fabulous job of bringing to light various social issues that were — and continue to be — prevalent in rural India without appearing overtly preachy. Typically, movies of this nature have a rather dark atmosphere and even address issues indirectly, but not this one! Married women in the film cover their faces with ghoonghats (veils) dropping below their noses, which proves to be one of the main hindrances faced by Phool’s husband, Deepak (Sparsh Shrivastava), in his quest to seek her out.
There’s a beautiful dialogue in the movie where an ignorant man blurts out that an individual’s face is everything and how covering one’s face is the same as covering one’s identity. This line draws attention to how women all over the world struggle to find their footing amid oppressive patriarchal structures. Laapataa Ladies also addresses the casual prevalence of the dowry system and how, in certain parts of the world, marriage proves to be the shackles that bind women to a life void of purpose.
Although the film touches upon a hoard of social issues, it does so sensitively without belittling the journey or personality of any of its characters. Phool finds joy in her new identity as a wife, while Jaya curses her fate and strives to do everything she can to achieve her dreams — Rao magnificently captures this contrast while respecting both narratives. The character of Manju Maai (Chhaya Kadam) deserves special recognition for helping the timid and conservative Phool come into her own as a unique individual.
The Satiric Influence in Laapataa Ladies Lifts the Weight off Heavy Topics That Engulf the Plot
As is common in most films directed by Rao, comedy plays a significant role in enriching the storyline of Laapataa Ladies. While showcasing the raging prevalence of corruption and gaps in India’s political systems, the satiric influence makes the film a unique watch. The story is not heavy on the heart and banks on slapstick comedy to smoothly facilitate scenes that address grave issues.
The scene where Jaya converses with Deepak’s mother on why she doesn’t cook her favorite dish is a humorous conversation tactfully laced with women’s realities after marriage. There was a sequence where Deepak showed a veil-clad picture of his wife to Sub Inspector Shyam Manohar (Ravi Kishan) in hopes of searching for her, which must be lauded for being effortlessly humorous.
The Entire Cast of Laapataa Ladies Serve Knockout Performances
Arguably, the best thing about Laapataa Ladies is, without a doubt, its outstanding cast. From the lead actors to the chutney-inhaling minor character, every single performance deserves a round of applause. The movie had actors looking raw and appropriate in accordance with the film’s rural setting, which was a breath of fresh air — in contrast to Bollywood’s usual trajectory of glamming everyone up. Novices Goel, Ranta, and Shrivastava breathed life into the nuanced characters, setting the stage as solid protagonists.
Kishan delivered a memorable performance as SI Shyam Manohar, who underwent a gradual wave of character development as the screenplay progressed. Everything about Manju Maai, played by Kadam, was the epitome of artistic prowess. Other characters who deserve mention include Deepak’s anxious mother (Geeta Agrawal Sharma), Jaya’s insufferable husband, Pradeep Singh (Bhaskar Jha), and, of course, the loveable Chhotu (Satendra Soni).
The Emotional Ending Gives It Immense Rewatch Value
As viewers traverse the sweet and simplistic plot of Laapataa Ladies, they realize the underlying metaphor that the film was attempting to convey all along. The two women, Jaya and Phool, were derailed from their destined path due to circumstances, but their experiences helped them gain perspective and set their lives on the right track. Deepak is a sheer embodiment of a man written by women as he remains respectful and chivalrous even in the worst of situations, with his adorable confession scene melting hearts across the globe. Speaking of the ending, it was heartwarming and definitely one for the books!
The most impactful scene in the movie is when Shyam Manohar derails from his character’s persona and empathizes with Jaya, going as far as to threaten her husband as he helps her attain the freedom she’d been yearning for all along. His unexpected portrayal as a father figure to her is sure to conjure tears. With Arijit Singh’s “Sajni” playing in the background, viewers rejoiced when Deepak and Phool finally reunited towards the movie’s end — her finally calling out his name being a redefining moment. Laapataa Ladies is an edge-of-the-seat entertainer that oozes comedic gold. The happy ending, incandescent storytelling, and beloved characters will have viewers revisiting this feel-good movie more times than once!
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