This movie clearly depicts why it's not fair to consider women as the second class of the society. I felt Thappad mentioned all kinds of violence. From Tapsee Pannu to her Mother-in-law, her maid and her lawyer, all faced some or the other kind of abuse in their household. Even the ladies who weren't subject to physical violence were emotionally rallied. And it all seems fair because "women should adjust".
In my opinion the director/story writer chose to showcase the one which had lesser violent story so as to at least make the public get a sublte but strong touch of it. If it were the actual domestic violence case like "Provoked", it would not reach to the Indian audience as much as it did in this case. This movie showed that nothing gives a man the right to violate anyone's modesty. Not even a slap!