Pataakha : Sister's love hate relationship lasts long.

Pataakha: ** 1/2

India | Drama | Comedy

Cast: Radhika Madan; Sanya Malhotra; Sunil Grover, Saanand Verma; Vijay Raaz;

Duration: 134 minutes

Release: September 2018

Plot: (Google)

Based on Charan Singh Pathik's short story, Do Behnein, it revolves around two sisters, Badki and Chhutki who grow up in a small village in Rajasthan and are constantly at war but when marriage separates them, they realise they can't seem to live with or without each other.

Review:

Pataakha by Vishal Bhardwaj is a story about two sisters who hate each other but also are dying for attention from each other. It's a dramatized story of every household with siblings. The film starts with a two sister arguing with each other growing up, which starts with words and always ends with them getting into physical fights. While they are busy pulling each others hair out and kicking each other Sunil Grover as Dipper Naradmuni. Though I couldn't figure out his relationship with the girls he also seems to be there to either help them or screw things over for his own entertainment.

The film has Dipper Naradmuni's narration throughout the story that adds to the film's comic and later than life essence. Chutki and Baki played by Sanya Malhotra and Radhika Madan take the simple story to the thrill and excitement of a feature film. The first half of the film develops their story and core to their characters while they fight over and over again on trivial matters while the second is diverted towards unintentionally trying to mend the relationship. Our protagonists Badki and Chutki are passive characters they do not make any decisions or action to improve or change their life.

Throughout the film you feel like a passer-by looking into their lives without any connection or sympathy for them. Sunil Grover adds what makes the film a fun ride going in circles. The hard work Sanya and Radhika have put into their roles transforms to the screen well but it is hard to see them as part of the life when they are so engrossed into dragging each other down.

The film mainly focuses on this two sisters and leaves no space for even an inch of explanation as to who Dipper Naradmuni which bugged me till the end.