Thappad is a drama film directed and co-produced (with Bhushan Kumar) by Anubhav Sinha. He has co-written this story with Mrunmayee Lagoo. After the last two films Mulk (2018) and Article 15 (2019) by Anubhav Sinha with strong content, gripping storyline, and powerful performances; this one also seems much more promising.
The film follows Amrita (Taapsee Pannu), a happy and perfect housewife, who has devoted her life to her husband Vikram (Pavail Gulati) and his success. Amrita’s seemingly perfect life falls apart when Vikram slaps her once at a party. Vikram, who is so self-centered that he defends his actions by marking them as a result of the heat of the moment. The incident brings the Amrita’s world upside down, and it completely destroys her faith in their marriage.
The film has explored a very common but not much talked social topic of domestic violence in India. In the film, when the incident happens, people around Amrita reacts like – “It happens”, “Move on”, “Let it go”, “It is a small thing”, “Go back and make it work/pretend”, “Women should tolerate”. This is shameful, and it just shows how flawed the institution of marriage in India is. On the other hand, the determined Amrita considers divorce, because of her strong belief that once something is broken, it just can’t be attached as before. Apart from this main plot, the film also has some sub-plots which revolve around the same topic in the life of people from the different levels and layers of society. And every subplot justifies its existence in the film and gets the appropriate conclusion along with the main plot at the end.
The premise of the film is very simple but covers so many unexpressed and suppressed voices. The film has a hard-hitting message and it will definitely make you look around and within yourself. The film also points out the imperfections and prejudices in a patriarchal society. The storyline of the film is very well narrated and has powerful performances by the lead and the supporting characters. The whole and soul of the film is Taapsee Pannu, who has justified the character through her apt emotions and her silence. Apart from Taapsee, the film also has a great pool of supporting cast – Ratna Pathak Shah, Kumud Mishra, Tanvi Azmi, Dia Mirza, Maya Sarao, and Manav Kaul. The only flaw I felt while watching it is that the film becomes slower after the interval.
Verdict : 4/5
Rating : A thought-provoking and compelling drama. A must watch.
Check the trailer here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBw_Eta0HDM
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