Parched:
The Quest for Freedom & Equality!
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| Image Courtesy: facebook.com/ParchedTheFilm |
Reviewer’s
Thumb Mark
Leena Yadav's 'Parched'
is a pitched battle between the present age Durgas and Mahisasurs of our
society. It is a peek into the age old gender insensitivity and inequality
existing in our country. Leena chose a desert village in Rajastan as the
backdrop to narrate a compelling story about three women Rani (Tannishtha
Chatterjee), Lajjo (Radhika Apte), Bijli (Surveen Chawla) and a child bride
Janaki (Lehar Khan) who battles with the harsh realities of their life.
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| Image Courtesy: 4.bp.blogspot.com |
Parched, beautifully narrates the quest for
freedom and equality desired by these four women. Rani a widow is left to take
care of her bedridden old mother-in-law and is under debt because of the loan
she has taken to pay the dowry to bring a daughter-in-law for her wayward
teenaged son Gulab (Riddhi Sen). She has no one except her friends to vent her
emotions and anger which she keeps otherwise veiled from the rest of the world.
Lajjo goes through silently an abusive marriage where her husband batters her
day in and day out for being barren. Bijli a modern nautch girl who camps in
villages with her master's travelling troupe not only dance but also entertain clients
who are interested in carnal pursuits brought in by her boss. Janaki a
reluctant bride has her own secrets to keep and is constantly abused by Gulab.
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Last week we had
Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury's Pink in theatres and for discussions on blogs, dinner
tables and cafes. This week we have Parched set in rural India. Both the movies
raise common issues like - gender bias, domestic
violence, marital rape etc.
The women in the
movie has given a fabulous performance duly supported by the actors like Adil
Hussain, Sumeet Vyas, Riddhi Sen, and Chetan Sharma. Riddhi Sen and Chetan
Sharma are actors who need to get more opportunities to display their talents.
Chetan Sharma's 'Saankal' directed by Dedipya Joshi is yet another women
centric movie which has already made waves in many film festivals in India and
abroad. Mirch Masala, Angry Indian Goddesses, Kajarya, Jugni, Nil Battey
Sannata, Pink to name a few has made a very positive impact on its audience and
has left many for wanting more from these filmmakers.
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| Image Courtesy: amysmartgirls.com |
Parched since its release abroad an year ago
is on a high worldwide and I am sure its release in India has already generated
positive responses and constructive discussions around the cause it raises. Parched is a must watch not because of its
story but because it makes us reflective and more responsible towards all humans
irrespective of gender, class, rural and urban divide. It reiterates the
importance for freedom for women and celebrating womanhood.
Life
Connoisseur Movie Rating: 4/5
Cast:
Tannishtha Chatterjee (Rani), Radhika Apte (Lajjo), Surveen Chawla (Bijli),
Leher Khan (Janaki), Adil Hussain, Sumeet Vyas, Sayani Gupta, Riddhi Sen,
Chetan Sharma
Genre:
Drama
Director:
Leena Yadav
Producer:
Ajay Devgn
Written
by:
Leena Yadav
Music
by:
Hitesh Sonik
Cinematography:
Russell Carpenter
Production:
Ajay Devgn FFilms
Release
Date: 23rd September, 2016
Duration:
118 Minutes
Language:
Hindi
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