Movie Review: Thappad

Movie Review: ‘Thappad’
Rating: 4/5
Director: Anubhav Sinha
Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Kumud Mishra, Pavail Gulati, Ratna Pathak Shah, Geetika Vidya, Tanvi Azmi, Dia Mirza, Maya Sarao

‘Thappad’ reflects on a subject of Domestic Violence which may be too common. Films have mirrored this shameful societal norm, with not only Bollywood films being guilty of the dilution. In days gone by, Hollywood legends like John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, Humphrey Bogart and others have blithely “tamed the shrew” or so to speak by plastering 5-finger marks across actress’ cheeks.

In Taapsee Pannu’s own words, “To bring a change this society, let me do my job & you do yours.” This is what she’s doing, nailing what she does the best. A borderline performance neatly balanced by Taapsee. It’s only so little to ‘talk’ about what she does because you really need to see it to feel it.

Amrita (Taapsee Pannu) is the typical housewife who’s living her family’s dreams. Her husband Vikram (Pavail Gulati) is just another husband who is stuck between what should be done and what he does. A focused businessman, Vikram is a loving husband to Amrita and they both plan to shift to the UK after his promotion. Follow Spotlife Asia for the latest Entertainment and Lifestyle news.

Everything seems to be going well until the moment when Vikram slaps Amrita during the heat argument which takes place at a gatering. The intensity of that one slap goes deeper than one can imagine.

The thought that he’s never acted this may, it was an act born out of professional frustration, and he’s never likely to do it again go through Amrita main as she decides to call it quits facing various point-of-views from different people around her. What does she do and why she takes such a huge decision because of a slap, that’s what you’ll learn on watching.

If you’re into such kind of movies, the first exciting thing about it for you should be able to understand how the makers have made a feature film around the idea of a short film. Sinha plays with your mind as he teases you with something else and serves you with something else. If you’re religiously into the film, you’ll get out as a better version of yourself.

The performances from everyone are of the highest order, but when you have such a brilliant script at your disposal, the acting is definitely going to hit a home run, especially when the film has been blessed with such marvelous actors. Sinha’s direction is also right on the money, ensuring that he narrates his tender screenplay with care, love and the foresight to not sensationalise a sensitive subject. Anubhav Sinha agreed on adapting the serenity from some Iranian, Turkish films but he never falls for the trap. He leads the film as a conversion he’s trying to have with the audience. He had every chance to intellectualize the film but thankfully it’s a soothing affair.

There’s precious little not to marvel at in Thappad. It’s bound to be a extremely uncomfortable watch for several viewers, particularly couples, and it might also be tough for entire families to view together, given how close to home it’s likely to hit, but that’s what makes the film nothing short of a masterpiece, and a milestone in Indian cinema