Tottaa Pataka Item Maal
Film review
Tottaa Pataaka Item Maal...These are the phrases that every woman in India has heard in various situations. This title is best suited for the film for a reason. It is an engaging film that forced me to think and step outside of my comfort zone. When one has been let down too many times, there is justice served to a dark and radical 'what if' that comes to mind. It is a gripping story that held me on the edge of my seat until the very end. I think that this film is important for our society because as a woman I exist in constant fear of being harassed or molested, and whenever in my life I've been harassed or touched inappropriately while on the road, at work or at a family gathering, it is me who has to carry all the negative and ugly feelings within me. This film was a breath of fresh air to witness tough women take command of a situation on screen. I adored how a woman's rage is politely addressed and artistically portrayed.
I liked how all the four women were depicted as women attempting to reclaim control over their lives rather than as victims. The film's strength comes from the way it all plays out, a power that sparked some debate in India, where it is well known that rape continues to be a major national issue. The women in the film are the residents of Delhi, one of India's most populous and notorious cities, who live in constant terror of being raped. It's ridiculous to argue that one necessarily supports these women's acts, but it's also difficult to deny that they are understandable.
Chitra, Shagun, Shaila, and Vibha, the four women in the film come from various backgrounds and have their baggage. They aim to emotionally break the man, played masterfully by Vinay Sharma, and instil the terror of rape in him first. Their plan to capture him on video and post it on social media to teach other males a lesson seemed a little crazy to me at first, but it made sense later.
The notion that women can be violent as well but choose not to be so rang often in the film, which I opposed and found unacceptable. This claim, however, cannot be validated. Women who are violent and sexually assault men and children are not uncommon. These kinds of cases are merely not as widely publicised. Apart from that, I enjoyed the cinematography, the natural lighting, and the costumes of all the characters, which wonderfully represented their personalities, the sound, and the excellent acting. I was instantly drawn in by the film's originality. Because I detected an underlying message, I imagined Chitra and Vibha would develop a fondness for one another instead of friendship.
Tottaa Pataaka Item Maal is a lovely film that is extremely raw and realistic. The film's climax struck me the most because it symbolised that it all comes down to being ethical rather than the topic of whether it is men versus women.
