Thappad Review: A Life Changing Drama, Expressed Powerfully
What is the movie all about: The story revolves around a couple – Amrita, played by Taapsee Pannu and her Pushy husband Vikram, played by Pavil Gulati. The crux of the story is a big Slap ( Thappad) which happens in a corporate success party of Vikram, during which he lands a big slap on Amrita’s face. What happens next, is the story. Will Amrita, who loves Vikram totally, giving whatever, she can as a wife, survive the humiliation or will she change her perspective about marriage and move on?
Movie Review: Born in a loving family in Delhi, and a trained classical dancer Amrita, who dreams of being a best housewife, even sacrificing her close to heart love for dance. Her husband, an ambitious corporate professional, who goes to extreme extent to acquire success, does an un imaginable act during his success party, where he gives a lands a huge slap on Amrita’s face in the midst of people around.
And, this results in the beginning of a dreadful, emotional skirmish which goes beyond domestic violence. While Amrita digs upon and question her life beliefs, choice and her marriage, her husband Vikram lives in denial and ponders how ‘just one slap’ is becomes a life-changing moment.
Director Anubhav Sinha’s social drama, highlights the societal issues relating to the emotional and mental effects of domestic violence, in a manner that will raise inner thoughts and provokes questions in the mind of the audience. on various ground. Questions like for a woman who is married, it is home that is paramount, important and their actions will always be determined by log kya kehenge and is it okay, cool for a husband to get away even if it is humiliating Thappad to his wife in front of people.
The film presents the woman character Amrita as a gutsy and her determination to fight the inner conflicts in her and fight for her beliefs — slap is unpardonable and not acceptable.
‘Thappad’ is about a normal housewife’s transformation with one un acceptable act from her husband. Taapsee delivers a terrific performance as woman who brilliants enacts a range of of emotions — pain, disgust, regret and rage — splendidly with her acting prowess. If that is not a stupendous performance, we don’t know what is. Pavail Gulati, too pulls off a brilliant performance. You will dislike him for his faults, but his character complex and you begin to question that as well as the movie progresses.
Kumud Mishra, as Amrita’s father is convincing — an staunch supporter of his daughter and backs her for whatever she stands up to. Mishra’s character truly defines why for many young women, dad is their Hero. Tanvi Azmi and Ratna Pathak Shah, as Amrita’s mother-in-law and mother respectively, play their roles to good perfection.
The music of the film (by Anurag Saikia) is beautifully blends in with the narrative. With Thappad, the director Anubhav Sinha has presented one his finest movie that deal with social issue. He dealt various aspect of human relationships, especially between wife and a husband, the life complexities, and dilemmas. Yet, the film drives home a solid point and leaves you with enough to ponder upon.
It is a good watch.
To sum it up, ‘Thappad’ is a silent slap on our society’s age-old belief that — shaadi mein sab kuch chalta hain. But honestly, should it be that way? And that is what we need to start talking about… now!