This is not just a film, its a movie, because it moves you to the core. Laapata Ladies or keeping the slang intact ‘ladij’ is a wholesome heartwarming experience packed into 2 hours. We are introduced to the characters Deepak and Phool,two youngsters getting married, in a rural backdrop. The issues of dowry and child marriage are casually spoken about, which reminds us of Vir Das’s- I come from two Indias. his is the India that has given us trailblazers like Nirmala Sitharaman and Kiran Bedi, yet still binds young girls like Phool Kumari in the chains of tradition. Deepak Kumar, a young lad from a village far off, manages to bring the wrong woman home , after his wedding, in a series of mishaps, and the rest of the movie is about finding Phool again.
The movie takes on the issues of patriarchy and how deep routed it is in our homes, rural or urban, even today. There’s a short but meaningful scene here where the mother says – ”Hamein toh yaad bhi nahi hai haemin kya pasand tha”,reveals the silent sacrifice of countless women who lose their identities to the roles imposed on them. The simple act of saying the name of the man you married is considered a bold move, and Phool initially refuses to say it when asked to name her husband at the police station to contact him.Phool’s initial hesitation to name her husband at the police station highlights the cultural constraints on women, making her eventual assertion a powerful moment of personal growth.
The movie only shows 4 days in the lives of Deepak, his actual wife- Phool, and the misplaced wife- Jaya. Jaya is a smart,shrewd woman and manages to make quick and smart decisions, that leave the audience rooting for her every step of the way. Phool, played with innocent charm, embodies the struggles of countless young girls in rural India, She is taken in by an older lady, when she finds herself lost at a random railway station, unable to recollect where she was headed. Manju maayi and her ‘Chotu’, who takes care of the girl and teaches her to try and fend for herself as much as she can. Phool never once loses hope that her Deepak will find her, no matter what happens. Ravi Kishan,playing the investigating police officer, Shyam Manohar, has the mannerisms of a police officer from a station in a small village in the north perfectly down. His performance was commendable, as he embodied the role so perfectly that it is impossible to even think of someone else who could have done it better. Laapata ladies is simply another feather to his cap.
The cinematography captures the beauty and harsh realities of rural India with breathtaking authenticity .The soundtrack complements the narrative beautifully, enhancing the emotional impact of the story.
For those who have watched the movie, you will agree with me when I say that this movie was not boring or felt like it was being unnecessarily dragged during any scene.Laapata Ladies is a cinematic experience that stays with you long after the credits roll. The more you think about it, the more you infer from each character and scene. Laapata Ladies is a cinematic masterpiece and deserves a solid 4.8/5.