Laapataa Ladies Story:-
Trouble erupts when two young brides, Phool Kumari (Nitanshi Goel) and Pushpa (Pratibha Ratna), accidentally swap places during a train journey. Phool’s helpless husband, Deepak Kumar (Sparsh Shrivastav), turns to the corrupt cop Shyam Manohar (Ravi Kishan) for assistance, further complicating the situation.
Movie Ratings
| Release Date | 1 March 2024 |
| Language | Hindi |
| Genre | Comedy, Drama |
| Duration | 2h 2min |
| Cast | Chhaya Kadam, Ravi Kishan, Sparsh Srivastav, Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Satendra Soni, Hemant Soni, Pranjal Pateriya |
| Director | Kiran Rao |
| Writer | Sneha Desai, Biplab Goswami, Divyanidhi Sharma |
| Cinematography | Vikash Nowlakha |
| Music | Ram Sampath |
| Producer | Aamir Khan, Kiran Rao |
| Production | Aamir Khan Productions, Jio Studios, Kindling Productions |
| Certificate | U/A |
Kiran Rao’s directorial debut, ‘Dhobi Ghat’, painted a haunting, almost voyeuristic picture of shattered hopes and dreams in Mumbai. Returning to the director’s chair after 14 years with ‘Laapataa Ladies’, set in rural India, Rao delivers a sharp satire that astounds with its astute social commentary and heartfelt depiction of sisterhood.
Infused with delightful moments, the film’s message is never heavy-handed. It seamlessly integrates with the entertainment factor, as Rao adeptly employs humor and the symbolism of the veil (ghunghat) to delve into the deep-rooted patriarchy and its consequences. Her light-hearted, slice-of-life narrative effectively advocates for women’s empowerment, education, and equality, all without vilifying men or succumbing to prejudice. “If you don’t take a dowry, there must be something wrong with the groom,” jests a female character, poking fun at a liberal man.
Biplab Goswami and Sneha Desai’s tale and screenplay are both family-friendly and keenly observed, offering ample food for thought. Each character possesses flaws yet remains endearing, particularly the corrupt yet principled Shyam Manohar. Ravi Kishan delivers a standout performance, embodying a character who is both avaricious and fair. The lead newcomers also deliver commendable performances.
The film’s most memorable moment encapsulates its essence perfectly. Weathered by life’s trials, middle-aged tea stall owner Manju (portrayed impeccably by Chhaya Kadam, reminiscent of her role in Sairat) opts to live alone rather than endure disrespect and domestic abuse. She candidly tells Phool, “If those who claim to love you have the right to harm you, then I too exercised my right.” (mic drop! No animals were harmed in the creation of this one-liner).
Laapataa Ladies challenges age-old stereotypes with boldness, declaring unequivocally, “A ‘respectable’ girl is the greatest deception in society,” highlighting how societal norms discourage questioning of the status quo. The narrative refuses to portray women solely as victims, asserting firmly, “It’s not shameful to be naive, but pride in one’s ignorance is disgraceful.”
A delightful fusion of heart, intellect, and humor, this film is an undeniable triumph.
