Laapataa Ladies has been winning hearts since its release, but it impressed our brains after its release on the OTT platform – Netflix. After delighting the audiences in movie theatres and halls for 50 days, Laapataa Ladies was released on 26 April 2024 on Netflix. For a week at least, it topped the charts, being the no.1 Bollywood movie on the digital platform. After its OTT boost, the movie also got more hype and praise on social media reels.
And we should ask WHY? Why Now?
Laapataa Ladies is bankrolled by Jyoti Deshpande and Aamir Khan, helmed by Kiran Rao and is shown by Jio Studios. Currently showing in theatres and digital platforms as well, the film was produced by Aamir Khan Productions and Kindling Productions, and its storyline was based on an award-winning narrative by Biplab Goswami. Sneha Desai wrote the screenplay and dialogue, while Divyanidhi Sharma took notes on the extra dialogue. Deepak Kumar, Pratibha Ranta, and Nitanshi Goel won over everyone’s hearts, while Ravi Kishan was phenomenal as the small-town police officer. While everyone shone their character perfectly, Chhaya Kadam’s 10-minute screen time was enough to loot all praise. Her strong character – Manju Maai has shown many ups and downs, sharp edges and roughness and after watching the whole movie, we now know why.
So, what’s the jist?
Plot of Laapataa Ladies
Laapataa Ladies is adapted from Biplab Goswami’s award-winning novel – ‘Two Brides’ and the social dark comedy story has been lauded for its authentic portrayal of rural settings in India while showcasing the deep-rooted problems that are still clung to progress like leeches, fattened on the blood of evolution.
The story revolves around our two main protagonists – the ladies or should we say the new brides. It is a beautifully yet tightly woven tale of two young newlyweds who become lost on the same train. They become the main subject(s) of this comical story – Laapataa Ladies. Amid a flurry of misidentifications and boisterous happenings, the ensuing chaos guarantees lots of laughs, heartwarming moments and in & out a rotten facade.
Set in rural India, the film is a fast-paced comedy about brides who go missing. Expect colourful characters, upbeat music (with a cheeky homage to a Bollywood classic!), and a touching story about women empowerment.
The dialogues are so brilliantly written and showcased that they instantly reveal the hidden depths of the characters and evoke a rollercoaster of emotions. The best part is – most of the parts of the movie are relatable and this is what a movie needs to touch the core of its audiences’ hearts and brains.
The representation of “Laapataa Ladies” is not possible without the significance of the “ghoonghat.” It alludes to the patriarchal restrictions placed on women’s autonomy. Ultimately, Phool and Jaya both raise their ghoonghats, both literally and figuratively, to declare their independence.
The dilemma of Jaya being married to a one-eyed trouser snake who probably killed his first wife for dowry, of course, with the help of her mother (what a dark critique on our societal pressure) and now wants to drain the life out of talented Jaya felt like we’ve been trapped in a glass chamber with a python. On the other hand, the utter innocence of Phool, which served her as a golden tag that she comes from a good family became the biggest disadvantage. She understood that without using her mental faculties, she was as lifeless and useless as her predecessors – her mother. One of the strongest characters is Chhaya Kadam as Manju Maai. It is hard to comprehend such sceptical characters who are used to see the negatives of characters first. Not just her but Jaya’s dialogue delivery as well stood out of the frame:
Manji Maai – “Budbak hona sharam ka baat nahi hai, budbak hone pe garv karna, ye sharm ka baat hai. (Being stupid is not a matter of shame, but being proud of being stupid is.)”
Phool’s Mother – “Ek baar ghoonghat le liya, toh aage nahin, neeche dekhkar chalna seekho. (Once you have taken the veil, learn to look down and walk without looking further.)”
Ee Desh me ladki logo ke saath hazaron saalon se eek fraud chal raha hai, ooka naam hai ‘Bhale ghar ki bahu beti’. (In this country, one fraud has been going on with the girls for thousands of years, its name is ‘Well-brought-up woman from a good family’.)
Why Now? Laapataa Ladies Failed On Theatres & Hit On OTT.
As per reports, the filming budget of Laapataa Ladies is ₹4-5 Crores. The movie made ₹75 lakh in net revenue on its opening day, ₹1.45 crore on the second, and ₹1.7 crore on the third, for a ₹3.75 crore first weekend total. As of April 11, 2024, the movie has made ₹20.49 crore in India and ₹21.65 crore globally.
Such a cold reaction from its theatrical earnings was expected because people have been seen enjoying dramatic action more rather than rustic, crispy narrations. India is where a movie like Animal hits ₹917.82 Crore.
Well, we cannot compare apples with oranges. It’s unfair.
Because still, the Kiwi won.
Laapataa Ladies collected 98% Rotten Tomatoes and 8.5 rank on IMDB.
Is Laapataa Ladies Watch Worthy?
Absolutely!
After the 12th Fail, Laapataa Ladies firmly demonstrated that societal critique that was relevant to the period and setting could provide a compelling narrative. The events flow nicely, the rural setting (pictured in Rajasthan) is inquisitive, and the speech and attire appear authentic. Laapataa Ladies is a wake-up call for Bollywood. It tells filmmakers to stop making unrealistic movies and focus on creating films that address social issues. This movie proves that there’s a big audience for films with a social message. Many Bollywood actors also praised Kiran Rao’s second directorial movie and posted their emotions regarding the film on their stories (social media accounts).
The affluence of Laapataa Ladies is not in its net earnings but in the impression it has left on us.
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