These days the scripts have become more important for film makers. If a movie’s script is captivating then it doesn’t need star faces to capture audience’s attention. A few months back, #12thFail, having strong script devoid of star names made box office tinkle. Even after 4 months of it’s release it is running in the theatres. A newly released #LaapataLadies too has similarities. It has a very strong script supported by fine acting by newcomers. Moreover #KiranRao’s treatment to the plot is invigorating and she has kept the narration witty while underlining the societal deformities. In 1906, #RabindranathTagore wrote a novel, #Naukadubi, which dealt with mistaken identity. Laapataa Ladies too follows the pah of mistaken identity but it takes place in a crowed #IndianRailways’ train.
The story of Laapata Ladies takes place in an imaginary state, Nirmal Pradesh in the period when Mobile phone were just entering Indian markets. A few newlywed couple are travelling in a same compartment where ‘Dulhans’ are wearing similar ‘ghunghat’ covering their faces, the practice still prevalent in interior parts of India. Deepak (Sparsh Srivastava) too is travelling with his new veiled bride and gets down with her at his destination. Once he reaches home it is found the he had brought with him somebody else’s ‘dulhan’. His actual wife reaches some other destination as she had no clue about her ‘Sasural’. Both the grooms try to find their original wives and what transpires during and around it form the crux of the story.
The writers Sneha Desai, Biplab Goswami and Divyanidhi Sharma should be congratulated for superb writing set in rural India and avoiding melodrama. Even the dialogues are excellent as some of them talk much beyond the written lines. Kiran Rao, after Dhobi Ghat, has come up with an another jem. Her astute direction makes the film entertaining. Also she touches quite a few social and women’s issue through this film without going over the top. The movie flows from one scene to another without dragging anytime. The fun within the local dialect is exploited beautifully which adds to the entertainment quotient. Sparsh Shrivastava (Jamtara) plays his part with maturity. The ‘dulhans’ played by Nitanshi Goel and Pratibha Ranta, are relatable. Both have given excellent performances. Chhaya Kadam as a Railway tea stall runner adds punch to the narrative with her nuanced acting. The most endearing role of a corrupt yet humane police officer is played by Ravi Kishan. He has stolen the show without overshadowing anyone. His comic timing comes in handy to keep the proceedings light.
Laapata Ladies gives enough food for thought and throughly entertains.
Rating : ****
