Sadikchya Singh

Rarely has the woman's side of the story been so skillfully shown! The movie takes its audience into the life of a newly married South Indian (also most Indian and Nepali) woman- the change of duties from a daughter to a wife and daughter-in-law and the swift undertaking of related duties and responsibilities. Sounds like the normal life of any other woman? Except it isn't. Not that it isn't the life of every other woman but that it isn't and shouldn't be normal. It shouldn't be normal for women to give up their careers just for the prestige of their new family (absurd!)? It shouldn't be normal to expect women to be in the kitchen and serve hot and delicious (and traditional) dishes. It shouldn't be normal for men to relax while the women grill themselves in household chores. It shouldn't be normal for women to clean up their male member's mess after they have eaten. And it certainly shouldn't be normal to shun and consider menstruating women impure. Sadly, the opposite is the world we live in. What I love about the movie is not just how impressively they have portrayed reality, but how adeptly it captures the nuances and intricacies. And by doing so, it elucidates the unnecessary compromises many women try to talk themselves into, thinking 'oh, at least'. Your man may sweetly tell you he will allow you to work after marriage, but do you really need his permission? (At least, he is sweet and seems understanding) Your man may act super nice around you, but will he stand up for you when his parents are in the wrong? (At least, he is nice) Your man may love you, but does he have the decency to show respect and understanding? (At least he loves me, doesn't hit me) Your man may love you, but he can't ever have his actions questioned. (At least there is love)! Only the at least are just illusions! The movie does not give lessons or morals, it is for the audience to take away what they want to (if they have enough brains, that is). The movie rather expresses and emotes and it shouldn't take a normal person to understand that what we consider normal (most of the times) is completely absurd.