Parched

There comes a time in life when you stuck up in a wrong place and feel suffocated. You feel like breaking the barrier and seek freedom as you have one life to live and it is you who can take the control of your destiny. Who do you listen to you – Brain or Heart ?

Parched (extremely thirsty) tells the story of three women in the rural village of Rajasthan – Rani (played by Tannishtha Chatterjee), a 32 year old widower, who is under the burden of home loan she took to marry off her son, Lajjo (played by Radhika Apte) who is beaten up mercilessly by her husband as she cannot conceive and Bijli (played by Surveen Chawla) who is a dancer and prostitute but has her own share of glitch by men in her life.

It is a good comeback for the director Leena Yadav, who gave couple of flops in form "Shabd" and "Teen Patti". The subject of "Parched" is definitely bold with nude scenes, abusive language and violence but I guess she was trying to make it more real. The highlight of "Parched" is defining each female protagonist character appropriately, the issue of women equality still existing in the Northern part of India and how these central characters overcoming the challenges to live their own life. Hats off to Leena Yadav for a fantastic effort and keeping the audience on their toes. Screenplay is crispy with beautiful cinematography capturing the princely state of Rajasthan. Art direction is outstanding along with nice background score. Full marks to the editor for completing the drama within two hours. On the flip side, the second half loses the grip to some extent but the climax showing the dusshera scene shot simultaneously with Lajjo's husband burning in fire is brilliant. I loved the scene where Surveen Chawla vents out her anger that why all the abuses ends with a female f..k but why can't it be male f..k.

"Parched" belongs to queens of desert – Tannishtha Chatterjee, Radhika Apte and Surveen Chawla. Tannishtha Chatterjee plays a sensible and matured widow character with aplomb. The brilliant actress has been in town for some time and this film will be an icing on cake for her. Radhika Apte is just growing well with each film. This will be her second brilliant performance this year after spellbinding act in "Phobia". I was completely taken aback with Surveen Chawla's performance. The gorgeous actress is mean, straight-forwarded but extremely compassionate for her friends. Watch for her as she has the perfect looks and talent to carry it forward. Rest of the star cast did justice to their role.

On the whole, "Parched" is electrifying and enigmatic. Another beautiful tale of women empowerment and equality after last week's "Pink".

There is only one thing that makes a woman glow, even amid the vibrant colors, sparkling jewelry, moonlight swims, romances, comfort of friends, wind in her hair and lights of a fair at night. It has to do with her repressed dreams. In a desert landscape where the status quo vastly favors men, she thirsts in more ways than one. Everyone, men and women, are in a hurry to grow and glow, yet they often fail to be human first. A single mom, abused wife, erotic dancer, child-bride and newly arrived immigrant attempt to rise above their fears and kindle joy in their lives.

Academy Award winning cinematographer Russell Carpenter (Titanic) brings beautiful images to bear in support of the characters and their poignant stories. The remarkable stories of common women take the spotlight. While the stories are pieced together a little awkwardly and the acting is a bit shaky, the stories of these fascinating women are wonderful to witness. They are not predictable. Each is enthralling. Seen at the 2016 Miami International Film Festival.

A very raw look at gender norms in rural Indian society, PARCHED takes an unapologetic stance that women should choose their own destinies. The four women, and their intersecting stories, are engaging and intriguing. And there are both good and bad male figures in their lives. But this is no feel-good Bollywood romcom either, it's a very real and heartfelt look at life. The film keeps the viewer on the edge of his or her seat, wondering where the story is going next, because the twists in the plot are far from predictable. I would highly recommend it to anyone with a taste for edgy and eye-opening cinema. My rating? 10 out of 10.

It's a slow burn as a film. And then without you realising it the film has suddenly entered your heart. And makes its place there. Moments in each woman's story are suddenly so evocative. And moments between them as women. So much woman power. Beautifully shot. Beautifully enacted. Beautifully directed.

Kudos to director and whole team for making this excellent and eye opener movie Although I am from India and particularly North and frequently hear news stories of khaap panchayat wrongdoings etc. but still it's shocking to me to imagine things are still such bad in most rural parts when other part of globe is advancing to it peak. Neena Yadav and its crew have done wonderful job to bring extreme reality and low thinking of this men dominated rotten society The four women who set themselves free in different ways to bring story to happy ending does try to cover all roles of women they play in society to have maximum impact and also bring ray of hope to change things and move towards good. I remember last movie which I watched similar to this was Matrobhoomi which shake me from inside and compelled me to share thoughts and join to some movement to uplift present state of women's plight . Everyone should be allowed to choose their life as they want and things should never be forced on each other.