Don’t get me wrong, actually, someone dropped in and I didn’t want to spoil my pleasure, my natural happiness.
The film opens with all sweetie cutie scenes. Two love birds waiting and meeting and then getting married and settled in a good home. The boy is in Sarkari Naukri, what else does one desire, especially if it is a marriage, a little going against her Mom’s wish?
The first twist is very gradual………. Three Years Later, and Badru, played by Alia Bhatt, is seen cooking. Her body language is still. Her plate is empty and she is by with ample amount of fear in serving her love of life…..and the audience now can feel, not her pain, but rather a lack of pleasure in matrimony. As usual, the blame is on the drinking habits of Hamza (the husband) played by Vijay Verma.Â
In an Indian home, being blamed for not cooking well, and mothers do come into the picture for not raising the girl well to serve their husband well. Alia played a zombie and this so well explains the lost three years on the screen to the audience.Plot and Script: It is interesting and has all elements to keep you hooked up. At times, the audience may feel like supporting the Mother-Daughter duo to deal with the situation by giving two-three trips. The plot is led to the extent where an audience too wanna be a partner in disposing of. There are certain elements of predictability in the storyline too because all good things i.e. love, dating, marriage, home, etc. have already happened in the first 2-3 scenes only, so there is something not-so-sweet that has to follow. The revenge line is also in the air, but the method, the intensity, and the model of the execution of the conspiracy remain to be unfolded.I truly admired the role of PENCIL HEEL, and also loved unskinning of green peas with tied hands. Very creative ideas as a return gift to someone who dares to make a loving life miserable. The presentation of an intense theme like Domestic Violence, so prevalent within four walls of so-called Home Sweet Home, is done so beautifully. The script is intense and has good enough elements to hook up the audience.
Charactor: With three lead Characters in focus, another one, the 4th one gets a stealth entry as part of the ecosystem in the storyline. Characters in Hamza’s office do add up to the body of the film beautifully, if not seamlessly. Zulfi’s character has taken a meaty role later and added a surprise element. The character of Hamza is developed very powerfully. Not for a moment, he lost control over his presence. Alia’s character is quite predictable, but her performance, along with Shefali Shah, carries a bombing effect in her silent, innocent moves. The character building of the Mother-Daughter duo is lovely in the script.
Casting:Â Â The film has perfect casting. The Casting Director has done a wonderful job. Picking up Vijay Verma for Hamza’s role is the biggest discovery. Alia in Lead Role has not been disappointed by any means. She moduled herself so well to fit in as Badru…..Â
Performance:  A very talented cast worked to make the film a good film. Despite being a dark comedy, it pinches a part of your heart to see a young girl suffering. Alia has learned to excel in each role. She is comfy in her skin. So much to fit in as Badru—–a young girl, marrying the love of her life, taking daily soap operas at home, as her fate, and also a die-hard love-sick girl, who believes that things will change, as per her dreams. Vijay Verma is a natural artist. In the movie, it is difficult to separate Hamza and Vijay. He is as good as Alia, and his performance has made him a currency in Bollywood now.Nothing to say about Shefali as “Shamsu”, as she is always flawless, subtle, and leaves an impact.The surprise is Zulfi, Roshan Matthew …..He has a long way to go with his charming look and intellectual intensity.
Music: It sounded good during the movie, but it didn’t stay with me. It was cool. The dark comedy genre and Vishal Bhardwaj, go together.
Directed by Jasmeet K.Reen, it is released on 5th August 2022, on Netflix, its running time is 134 minutes. Netflix acquired distribution rights for 75-80 Crores.
It is going really well. Script, dialogues, and running time has done the justice to culminate it into a really good film of the year.
Rating: 4.5/5
Now tune in, and watch this lovely comedy with a shade darker. For women, living and suffering from domestic violence in various forms and formats, the movie will definitely bring new insight.Enjoy Darlings……….
Reviewed by: Ms. Lalita Pradeep
