‘Pataakha’ Movie Review: This movie proves to be a potent firecracker

Directed By: Vishal Bharadwaj
Produced By: Kyta Productions, B4U Motion Pictures and Vishal Bharadwaj Films
Cast: Sanya Malhotra, Radhika Madan, Sunil Grover, Saanand Verma and Vijay Raaz
Duration: 2 hrs 14 mins
Bollywood Bubble Rating: 4/5

Living up to its name, ‘Pataakha’ is a potent firecracker that keeps exploding from the first scene to the last. It is a story about two sisters (Champa and Genda or Badki and Chuttki) who hate each other from the core of their heart. They have violent fights over silly things and take a lot of joy in making each other jealous. Both of them harbour a dream – while Chhutki wants to start her own school, Badki wishes to start her own dairy.

Problems arise when their father (Vijay Raaz) is forced to arrange money, and has no option but to get one of his daughters married to a rich person who is a creepy sleazebag. However, his plan turns to dust when both the sisters decide to run away and marry their respective boyfriends.

Other than these characters, there is also Sunil Grover (Dipper) playing an agony uncle who has solutions for every problem, no matter how bizarre. He is a manipulative person who sets up fights between the two sisters, and watches them take on each other with glee. He gives them ideas that have chaotic consequences and his presence influences most of the actions taken by the two protagonists.

In their roles, both Sanya Malhotra and Radhika Madan shine like a city during Diwali. They capture the dialect, the body language and the psyche of a villager with breathtaking accuracy. A lot of credit for this should go to Vishal Bhardwaj, who manages to bring alive these two characters and their quirks exceptionally well. Even though most of this film reeks of people in tragic circumstances, there are ample opportunities for the audience to laugh out loud.

As for its message, it has a golden one. We realize that even though these sisters hate each other, they are inseparable. Indeed, sometimes we fight with the ones we are closest to because we find a comfort level with them that is unmatched. If you’ve ever had a sibling with whom you’ve shared countless arguments, then this is one movie that you should definitely watch with them. Come to think of it, not many Indian films explore the sibling equation with authenticity.

Final verdict

You should definitely watch it for this is a unique story that treads an unfamiliar path, but manages to keep the entertainment factor intact.

Watch the trailer here: