 "Laapataa Ladies Movie Review: Kiran Rao’s film talks about female bonding")
Laapataa Ladies (Lost Ladies) makes it clear from the very beginning that like the way we always think that the world is filled with wicked people, but that isn’t the truth. In this world we too have people who are good, selfless and are willing to take care of you when you need help.
Filmmaker Kiran Rao returns to direction after 14 after Dhobi Ghat, but this was really worth the wait. Laced with humour, Laapataa Ladies makes us believe that we should never stop being hopeful and make the best of the circumstances that we are often pushed into. The film stresses on the importance of women’s independence. Beyond box-office numbers, these kind of story telling with a gender lens which makes you mull over the society in general needs to be made again and again.
The film starts with two brides Phool Kumari (Nitanshi Goel) and Pushpa (Pratibha Ratna) getting swapped accidently in a train. Phool’s husband, Deepak Kumar (Sparsh Shrivastav) tells her to take off the jewellery and give it to him so that it doesn’t get lost on the journey back home. Phool and her husband meet another couple and their family who are again newly married and the groom, Pushpa’s husband has taken a huge dowry and they come to the conclusion that since Phool’s husband must be having some drawbacks, hence he didn’t take any dowry. “Dowry nahi liya toh ladke mein khot hogi”, comments one of the female family members in the train_._
When Phool gets lost in the train, her husband, Deepak Kumar (Sparsh Shrivastav) who loves her dearly lodges a complaint to the local police who initially appears to be a corrupt cop, but turns out to be a good man making us believe that the world isn’t all that bad. Rooted in the rural Indian reality, Laapataa Ladies has a forward looking approach when it comes to farming, women independence and the importance of organic farming. The most endearing part of the film is the female bond and the conversation that they have with each other .
The movie has messages for the world, but not one bit preachy. Laapataa Ladies is entertaining and engaging. It’s a mainstream film done with a twist. Set in the year 2001, the film throws light on the fact that a smart and intelligent girl is not considered to be a ‘good girl’ by our society, rather she is labelled as cunning. Our patriarchal society wants a girl who talks less, says ‘yes’ to everything that the world feels right and who doesn’t have an opinion about what she wants from life. But Kiran Rao’s film staying far away from preachy, the narrative doesn’t allow women to be the victim of circumstances.
Phool, the ‘simple bride’ gets stranded in the railway station, Pateela. But it is Manju Mai who may appear to be stern, but has a heart of gold takes her under her wings and makes her believe that she too can be independent. Manju has driven away her abusive husband and son from her life. She runs a tea stall of her own in the railway station selling samosas and bread pakodas too. Laced with nostalgia of the good old days when mobile phones were uncommon and railway stations had a magical charm, Laapataa Ladies is like a journey back to the good old days. Laapataa Ladies is a perfect mix of humour, intelligence, emotion and most importantly impeccable performances by all the craftsmen of the film.
Rating: 4 out of 5
WATCH the trailer of Laapataa Ladies here:
Lachmi Deb Roy is the entertainment editor of Firtspost, Network18. She reviews films and series with a gender lens. Her interviews are called 'Not Just Bollywood' because she takes huge interest in world cinema. OTT over theatrical releases is her preference unless and until its a King Khan film. She takes interest in fashion, food and art reviews too.