Thappad movie review : A slap to shake up masculine social norms
“Just a slap?,” Amrita or Ammu (Taapsee Pannu) is asked again and again as she looks for validation, comfort and justice against an incident of physical abuse she has to bear from her husband Vikram (Pavail Gulati). A housewife in an affluent household, Ammu’s life had been seemingly normal before the incident.
She lives a comfortable life with her husband and mother-in-law (Tanvi Azmi) in a posh house with all the modern amenities. A zealous homemaker, Ammu’s lives her life in the same daily loop: doing chores, and taking care of her husband, mother-in-law, and the house. But one day when her drunk husband slaps her in front of party guests, things change for her.
Ammu starts questioning her position in the marriage. Where is her self-respect and dignity, she asks herself? Her life begins to unravel and she misses her pre-marriage happiness and freedom. The sacrifices she made in the marriage haunt her. Then the revelation that she, as an obedient housewife, has turned into nothing more than a commodity for her husband and her family strikes her hard. Ammu thus starts legal proceedings against her husband. All that for a slap. Because the slap rattles her conscience.
Directed and co-written by Anubhav Sinha, “Thappad” (‘Slap’) is a film that uses one incident of domestic violence to tell a representational tale of millions of women facing domestic violence, marital rape, and deeply embedded misogyny in India and the subcontinent.
With no notable big names from Bollywood, besides the talented Taapsee, and a host of other equally gifted performers, Thappad is a film that paves the way for women-centered narratives that question the male privilege. Thappad delves into the lives of different women and disturbs deeply-held notions of orthodox families and women’s roles therein.
Right from the introduction, Thappad captivates the audience and lets them know that it is taking up much more than a couple’s relationship. The introduction shots of all relevant characters in different settings, living different lives but eating the same orange candy (popsicles), gives a clear message that the film will surpass the ‘hero-heroine’ narrative and give everyone equal space to tell their stories. This shared burden of storytelling makes the film even more captivating.
With stellar acting by Taapsee and the supporting cast, Thappad is a sensible movie that discusses the dynamics of husband-wife relationships in orthodox South East Asian families. The film cleverly blames men for the toxic relationships they create but also the society and even women who have been submissive for generations to give men the privilege of treating them like commodities. Thappad questions the self-beliefs that enslave the housewives. What makes them give up their lives, dreams and comforts to create that ‘perfect household’? Why have generation after generation of women been teaching their young daughters to sacrifice themselves to save far-from-perfect conjugal relations?
After directing socially compelling movies like Mulk (2018) and Article 15 (2019), Director Sinha has put out another gem that doesn’t overly dramatize relationships and reactions and gives life lessons in all their subtlety.
Who should watch it?
The only problem with Thappad is its length of 2hrs 24min and the stretched second half. But the storytelling is still captivating and this is easily one of the most important movies Bollywood has produced in recent times. A must watch for its compelling storyline and visionary filmmaking.
Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Drama
Run time: 2hrs 24min
Director: Anubhav Sinha
Cast: Tapsee Pannu, Pavail Gulati, Dia Mirza
Events
Nepathya Live: Shikshya Ko Lagi Sangeet
4:30 pm, Saturday, Feb 29
Bhrikuti Mandap
Kathmandu, Nepal
“Shikshya Ko Lagi Sangeet” is a charity concert to promote the initiative of “Better Infrastructure for Better Education,” featuring the most popular band in Nepal— Nepathya.
BBQ at the Terrace
6:30 pm, Feb 28-29
Terrace Garden, Hotel Radisson
Lazimpat, Kathmandu
Head to the Terrace at Radisson Kathmandu for an exquisite experience of fresh, grilled, smoky and flavorful BBQ with amazing views from the rooftop.
Kurt Cobain Birthday Bash
7 pm, Saturday, Feb 29
LOD: Lord of the Drinks
Thamel, Kathmandu
Join the bands Papercut, Newaz and Albatross in celebrating the birthday of the late grunge legend Kurt Cobain. The bands will perform Nirvana songs as a tribute.
A Reunion of the Souls
1 pm, Saturday, Feb 29
Dalai-La Boutique Hotel
Thamel, Kathmandu
Photographers and co-founders of The Raw Society— Jorge Delgado Fotografía and Christelle Enquist—open their photography exhibition at the Dalai-La Boutique Hotel on Feb 29. The exhibit features 32 photographs that will be on display and sold in a silent auction to raise funds for the Karma Lekshey Ling School.
Quick questions with SUSHMA KARKI (KSUSKALOLOGY)
Q. What one thing annoys you the most?
A. Fake behavior.
Q. Do you have a song that reminds you of a relationship?
A. I used to sing “Chahana sakkiyo, bahana sakkiyo” a lot with my childhood friend Sneha. That song reminds me of how she guided and encouraged me to sing.
Q. Have you ever tried something you knew you were really bad at?
A. I was really bad at singing, but I tried.
Q. What fashion trend do you just not get?
A. I don’t keep up with the fashion trends but pairing a blazer with biker shorts is a big no!
Q. On a scale of 1 to 10 how “cool” are you?
A. I’m very cool. So 10 on 10!
Q. What is your best attribute?
A. I can manipulate people in a good way.
Q. Describe yourself as a teenager in three words.
A. Competitive, funny and bright.
Q. If you could be from any other decade (or era), which would it be?
A. I wouldn’t want to go to any other decade.
Q. New clothes or new phone?
A. New phone!
Q. Name a book you read that positively shaped you.
A. Not a big time reader but I really enjoyed Buddhisagar’s “Karnali Blues” for the friendship portrayed
in it.
Paradigm Shift wins big at ICMC
The finals of the 16th Kathmandu College of Management Inter College Music Competition (KCM ICMC) held at the Bhrikuti Mandap Grounds on February 22 saw 10 bands selected from the preliminary rounds for the title. With hundreds of music lovers in the audience, the female-fronted “Paradigm Shift” took home the grand prize of Rs 80,000 and also won the individual titles of Best Bassist, Best Drummer, and Best Guitarist which had the cash prizes of Rs 10,000 each. Metal bands “Obscure” and “Lapax” were declared first and second runners-up respectively while the blues-based ensemble “Alankar” won the Judges Favorite award and the tile of Best Vocalist.
Organized annually to support budding talents in music, the 16th KCM ICMC had last year’s winners Psychopath performing alongside Chakachak, Jindabad, and Albatross.
Jhamkefaal Restaurant and Bar: Cheap and good
Although pronouncing its name might feel a little hard, dining at the Jhamkefaal Restaurant and Bar can be a refreshing experience. For one, it’s located at Kapurdhara, where you won’t find many restaurants that offer such a clean and comfortable dining experience. And for its ambience and food, it is inexpensive. So inexpensive that we’re at the verge of comparing it to the local ‘khaja ghar’ food we order at work every day. The food at Jhamkefaal is an everyday affair too. It’s a bit of a multi-cuisine menu with the regular “momo/chowmein” as highlights but there’s more when you carefully go through it. And you also get freshly brewed coffee—so its way better than our “khaja ghar.”
Datsun announces ‘Hot Deal’ scheme winners
This offer made customers purchasing a new car on the Datsun Hot deal scheme eligible for the lucky draw. On February 25, the lucky winners were announced at Pioneer’s official showroom at Thapathali. Ten couples were selected through the lucky draw for Thailand trip, and five lucky winners got a 10-gram gold coin each.
Paras Khadka is Agni Group brand ambassador
Paras Khadka, the most talked about Nepali cricketer and former captain of the national men’s cricket team, has been appointed the brand ambassador of the Agni Group—the authorized distributor of Mahindra & Mahindra vehicles in Nepal. In a program this week in Kathmandu, Executive Director of Agni Group Arjun Sharma announced this collaboration and handed over the key of Global NCAP’s first ever ‘Safer Choice’ award winning vehicle XUV 300 to Khadka.
“My association with Agni Group goes long way back to 2006-07. We share a very healthy relation as everyone maintains professional and personal balance. I am very pleased with this collaboration,” Khadka said at the event
AMN's "Ankur" marks its first anniversary
The Annapurna Media Network’s weekly children newspaper Ankur celebrated its first anniversary this week. AMN Chairman Rameshwor Thapa, CEO Manash Ghimire, Annapurna Post Editor-in-Chief Hari Bahadur Thapa and Ankur Editor Ramkala Khadka jointly marked the event by cutting a ceremonial cake. “Ankur has played a crucial role in increasing children’s intellectual capabilities,” Chairman Thapa said in the congratulatory speech. Ankura has made great progress even in a short time-span, Hari Bahadur Thapa added. “It has become really popular among school students and also got them reading,” he said.
Ramkhala Khadka said she was proud of how even the small Ankur team was able to successfully pitch the newspaper to school students from in and outside Kathmandu.
The Annapurna Express Editor Biswas Baral, Editor-duo of Annapurna Post Akhanda Bhandari and Bikash Thapa, Editor of Annapurna Online Bishnu Subedi and Editor of Annapurna Sampurna Rajan Nepal were also present at the celebration.
