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Darling’s cast: Alia Bhatt, Shefali Shah, Vijay Varma, Roshan Matthew
Darlings Director: Jasmeet K Reen
Where to watch: Netflix
Review by: Urmimala Banerjee
The topic of domestic violence has not been much researched in Bollywood lately. Of course there are exceptions like Thappad. In the past we’ve had movies like Agni Sakshi, Daraar and the memorable Khoon Bhaari Maang, which were more like thrillers. Jasmeet K Reen’s Darlings is a dark comedy about domestic violence. While in most movies the damsel in distress was rescued by a “good man,” Darlings is more grounded in the reality that it’s not easy to escape the cycle of domestic violence, be it on an emotional or psychological level.
What makes it interesting is how society views victims of domestic violence? How do you make allies? Darlings is a quirky take on the story of a woman who must not only fight for her respect, but rise from the suffering that unfortunately love brings. Is Darlings a lighthearted watch? Is it cruel to men? Scroll down for the full review of Darlings….
What is it about…
Badrunissa (Alia Bhatt) has had a love marriage with Hamza Shaikh (Vijay Varma), a senior ticket collector. Their married life is marred by instances of domestic violence fueled by Hamza’s alcoholism. Her mother (Shamshu) tells her to leave her husband because she sees no hope. But Badru believes that love can conquer all until a horrific incident awakens her dark side. What follows is a comical look at how domestic violence can make someone psychologically ‘twisted’? We are no longer giving spoilers…
Watch the trailer for Darlings below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dmx5KDPopqeg
what’s hot
The cast of Darlings takes the film to the next level. Vijay Varma leads the pack. As Hamza, he is in absolutely sparkling form. You can feel the fear Badru experiences when an angry Hamza comes home. He is great. Shefali Shah is fantastic as Alia Bhatt’s mother, Shamshu, who more or less did that. Shamshu is emotional, practical and knows exactly that her daughter is chasing an unrealistic dream. When she comes to Alia Bhatt she is amazing as always. Darling’s filmmaker Jasmeet K Reen successfully takes us into a world where domestic violence is an open secret, but people accept it as a part of life and its ‘challenges’. Roshan Matthew plays the brightest character in the film, an aspiring screenwriter who helps Shamshu in her dabba business. The dialogues of Vijay Maurya, Jasmeet K Reen and Parveez Shaikh will make you laugh and the timing of the actors makes the scenes better.
What not
The film’s climax is rather predictable, but that’s to be expected. If we get to the point that such films create even more prejudice against men when the gender laws are already flawed, well, Darlings is about women, but on an emotional level it does have some appeal for both sexes. Could it have been more gender neutral? Yes maybe.
verdict
Whatever you think about gender equality or flawed domestic violence laws, Darlings is a good watch. It’s realistic, lighthearted, emotional and also terrifying. The main cast performances are the icing on the cake.
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