Source: imdb.com
Show's Name - Thappad (2020)
Creator's Name - Anubhav Sinha
Genre - Drama
Release - 28 February 2020
Runtime - 2h 22min
Language- Hindi
The movie is directed by Anubhav Sinha. The writer, director, and producer has an array of commendable films, like Mulk, Article 15 among others; in his bucket. He, along with Mrunmayee Lagoo had written the plot of the movie.
Synopsis - Non-Spoiler Alert
Thappad is a slap on patriarchy. It beautifully depicts everyday instances of misogyny. Although Amrita's story remains at the center of the plot, stories of the woman who works at their home, her mother, her mother-in-law, her brother's girlfriend, her neighbor and even her lawyer are also equally substantial to be narrative.
Amrita, "a dedicated housewife" who gave up on her dreams to be able to cater to her home is shattered when her husband (Vikram, played by Pavail Gulati) slaps her at a promotion party arranged at their house due to some conflict arising out of office politics. As she says, "usne mujhe maara, pehli baar, nahi maar sakta". She even adds a little later, "Pata hai uss Thappad se kya hua?..uss ek Thappad se naa mujhe woh saari unfair cheezein saaf saaf dikhne lag gayi jisko main andekha karke move karti jaa rahi thi''.
The movie is a take on this at its very core. It tells how one slap is as much violence as anything else. It is a culmination of long-drawn instances of patriarchy. It is a tale of how Amrita deals with the incidents that follow. All the other characters also bud in their ways.
An adaptation?
The movie is not an adaptation as it is an original idea. However, the plot is so well written that the stories and instances in the movie seem to have been taken from everyday instances of misogyny and patriarchy.
Themes Involved
The movie is primarily based on the inherent patriarchy in society and the social complexes that oppress women. The movie shows how men and women that may seem to be too perfect socially, more often than not have a lot of ingrained patriarchy.
The movie also embraces the agenda of sisterhood. The bond between Netra (her lawyer, played by Maya K Sarao) and Amrita, between Shivani (her neighbor, played by Dia Mirza) and Amrita or the one that Sunita(the woman who works at their home, played by Geetika Vidya) and Amrita share.
Public Verdict
The movie was not a very big hit at the box office however a large section of the audience received it very well. The plot, acting, direction, and of course the underlying message were highly appreciated.
Even at the Filmfare Awards, the movie won several awards for the best film, best story, best actress, best male playback singer (for Ek Tukda Dhoop), best editing, best background score, and best sound design.
What makes it a must-watch?
The movie is a commentary on an issue that concerns us all but we often turn a blind eye to it. Of how in the social mesh women do lie at the lower end of the fulcrum and that submitting to this patriarchy is incentivizing it further.
Women should watch the movie to know that most of them share the same story. We, women do not deserve to undergo oppression and violence of any kind- physical, emotional, and sexual.
Men, all men should watch the movie to analyze themselves and get rid of the toxicity. The songs in the movie are a cherry on top and make the movie even more beautiful. The dialogues are relatable, meaningful, and hard-hitting.
The Bottom Line
A path-breaking movie that several women relate to on very many levels. Food for thought and a movie for a lifetime. The movie is a warm hug to the everyday tumult in women’s lives.
The most beautiful aspect of the movie is that it has no villains and that even Vikram has his fair share of likeability, that he attempts to be a good man yet fails because that is how ingrained patriarchy is.
The casting is apt to the core and there are instances where you just want to give a warm tight hug to certain characters.
My ratings for the movie - are 5 out of 5
You may watch the movie on Amazon Prime Video
Written By - Ananya Verma
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