Kiran Rao, who made her directorial debut with the critically acclaimed Dhobi Ghat in 2010, is back with her second film, Laapataa Ladies, which released on March 1, 2024. The film is a rustic dramedy that explores the theme of invisibilisation of women in a patriarchal society. The film is based on the story of Biplab Goswami and has been written by Sneha Desai and Divyanidhi Sharma.
Laapataa Ladies follows the chaos that ensues when two young brides, Phool Kumari (Nitanshi Goel) and Pushpa (Pratibha Ranta), get accidentally swapped during a train journey due to their veils. Phool’s husband, Deepak Kumar (Sparsh Shrivastava), seeks help from a corrupt cop, Shyam Manohar (Ravi Kishan), who adds to the confusion. The film is set in the fictitious Nirmal Pradesh, which shares cultural similarities with the Hindi heartland, where gender discrimination is a way of life and prejudice against a forthright woman, disparagingly called a lady, is rampant.
The film uses humour and irony to expose the deep-seated patriarchy and its repercussions
Laapataa Ladies is not a preachy or feminist film, but a clever and insightful social commentary that uses humour and irony to expose the hypocrisy and injustice of a male-dominated society. The film does not indulge in sloganeering or melodrama, but subtly conveys its message through the characters and their situations. The film also showcases the sisterhood and solidarity among the women, who support each other and challenge the status quo.
The film is rich in colour and context, and captures the rustic ambience and dialect of the region authentically. The film also features some charming songs composed by Ram Sampath and penned by Divyanidhi Sharma, which enhance the emotional quotient of the narrative. The film also has some memorable scenes and dialogues, such as when a middle-aged tea stall owner, Manju (Chhaya Kadam), who chooses to live alone after facing domestic violence, tells Phool, “If those who love you have a right to hit you, I exercised my right, too.”
The film boasts of excellent performances by the cast, especially Ravi Kishan and the newcomers
Laapataa Ladies is a showcase of brilliant performances by the cast, especially Ravi Kishan, who steals the show as the corrupt but conscientious cop, who is both greedy and just. He brings a lot of humour and nuance to his role, and makes his character likable despite his flaws. The newcomers, Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, and Sparsh Shrivastava, also do a commendable job as the young and naive brides and groom, who undergo a transformation through their journey. Chhaya Kadam, who plays the feisty and independent Manju, is also impeccable in her portrayal.
Laapataa Ladies is a delightful and refreshing film that smashes patriarchy with sass and substance. It is a film that celebrates the spirit and strength of women, and encourages them to break free from the shackles of society. It is a film that will make you laugh, cry, and think. It is a film that you should not miss.
