Lipika Varma
Director: Praveen Arora.
Cast: Mrinal Kulkarni, Harish Khanna, Rohit Kokate and other supporting artists.
Run Time: 98 Minutes.
Watch nearby theatres. Release Date / Month: 22nd November 2024
3/5
Story:
Mumbai, Nov 19 : “Dhai Aakhar “set in the 1980s is based on the novel -,” Teerthatan Ke Baad” written by Amrik Singh Deep and tells the story of a woman who comes out of being in an abusive marriage. It’s destiny that she is introduced to a writer through his book. Ironically, the story of that novel portrayed her own story, needless to state many women can relate to such abusive stories that they may encounter in their married life. And here her husband dies in an accident. She starts corresponding with this writer through letters. Slowly and gradually they both start respecting each other’s thought process. One fine day, on the pretext of going on a tour to ‘Teertha Yatra’ she goes to meet this writer. Will she succumb to societal pressure or will she get a second chance to tie the knot or not form the crux of the story. A well suited film for film Festivals.
The film brings out the conflict surrounding such relationships.” Dhai Aakhar” is an ode to love and the power it holds to transform someone’s life. In this patriarchal driven society women feel living under the protective wings of the husband after marriage is what they need to accept, thus they don’t revolt being in an abusive married life. This is still prevalent in the Indian villages. However, women living in the Urban set up are taking an upper hand and walking out of such an abusive life. First half and the second half of the film was good enough. But the climax seems to be too simple. Audiences as usual love to watch some action and drama in the climax that goes missing.
Direction:
Director Praveen Arora has held the conflicting story through flashbacks and flashforwards meticulously without jumbling it up. Clarity in the screenplay helped him take the story forward simply and effortlessly. Since the story is set up in the 80’s he had no choice but stick to slow paced editing and music. This might or might not go well down gen z. who are experiencing different kinds of relationships like-Open relationships or situationship kind of relationship. Having said this, you never know men who feel abusing their wives is their birthright might change their mind set, because today’s woman will not tolerate any such abusive relationship.
Performances: Mrinal Kulkarni playing the female protagonist has carried the character exuberantly on her shoulders. She played the docile wife through her expressive eyes to the best of her abilities. Harish Khanna, who plays the writer, has done a good job. There needs to be a special mention of the husband donned by Rohit Kokate. He left no stone unturned to show his negative side as the husband. While in bed in order to entice his wife into sexual activities his wicked and sheepish smiling approach towards his wife will surely be noticed by the audiences which will be enough to pour more hatred for him.
Music By: Anupam Roy and Lyrics By: Irshad Kamil is soulful, very much suiting the content. But in today’s times slow paced music and meaningful lyrics fell to allure the ears of the listeners. Music fails to offer much to today’s generation.
Cinematography – Attracts the views from Uttarakhand – Haridwar, Kankhal, Rishikesh etc feels soothing enough.
Verdict: Time will tell whether this clean love story of a woman taking a second chance, defying the Patriarchal societal pressure- Will or will not bring the audiences into theatres.
Note: The film releases ON THE 22 Nov,2024 but unlike most big production houses the team has not put any embargo on reviews’ film is to be participating in many film festivals.
