Parched

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.

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.

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.

PARCHED REVIEW - I was never interested to watch this film, in fact i never heard about this Film before but suddenly some leak news made waves on social media and i had to download film and watch. And now after watching it i'm speechless, i don't have words to appreciate Film but still i am going to write few words so that Real Cinema Lovers won't miss a gem.

Acting - Powerpacked ! The film looks so realistic and its characters looks so real that we actually feel their Pain, Happiness and everything. Surely Best Performance of all Actresses in Film especially Radhika Apte shows her Standard actually raises it and Surween Chawla shines in Bindass Attitude.

Screenplay - Marvellous ! It never looked stretched or bored despite being Realistic and Social msg film. Some crispy and vulgar scenes to entertain masses are also there. Classes have everything to taste.

Music - Not Impressive ! But Background Score definitely works as shiner for some Serious and Meaningful scenes.

Dialogues - Hilarious ! Few will make you laugh, few will make you think and some might harass you due to its Vulgarity.

Cinematography - Fantastic ! We see Completely Realistic and real Village in Film and credit goes to Cinematographer. Even some scenes which have not been shot in Village/Set (Caves/Sand) looks Real and are eye pleasing.

Direction - Speechless ! Yes you read it right, i don't know who was Leena Yadav but now i will remember this name forever just because of this 1 Masterpiece. Direction is Highly Realistic so does its Vulgar so you have to prepare yourself to watch this Film not as a Regular Bollywood Film but as a Highly Realistic Art Cinema. Full Marks to Director and 1 Salute from me.

Final Words - Almost a Masterpiece ! Hats Off, Kudos and Salute to makers for making a Film like Parched in India. You need guts to make Art Film in Bollywood which is actually surviving on Useless Commercial Masala Entertainers but Ajay Devgn had guts and he tried it and he Won it. I watched Unrated Version so you might miss some Vulgar and Sex scenes due to Censore Cuts. Few changes would have made this Film a Masterpiece but i think it fell short and became a Classic. Quality Cinema Lovers should not miss Parched at any cost. I'm going with 8/10 Stars, Go for it to have some memorable and Realistic Cinematic Experience.

Parched is a sensitive – but very watchable – female-centric film which explores the lives of 3 Rajasthani village ladies who live in a sexually repressed, patriarchal & abusive society. The film explores their frustrations over not having normal lives and the desire to live life on their terms.

The title "Parched" refers to the lives of the 3 ladies which is as "parched" as the arid desert they are living on.

MERITS of Parched

1 – A very sensible & sensitive story that is well-executed (you will NEVER feel bored unless you're a MCP moron)

2 – The build-up and pacing of the film is just perfect

3 – The dialogues (in Rajasthani accent) are well-written, incisive, witty and puts the message across pointedly

3 – Parched is bold and does not shy away from bit of nudity and abusive words (which is necessary keeping in mind the rustic nature of the characters)

4 – All the 3 actresses (Radhika Apta, Surveen Chawla & Tannishtha Chatterjee) have acted convincingly with the right expressions, accent and dialogue delivery.

You will love to see the uninhibited and friendly interactions between them (esp., the sexual banters). Surveen's totally bindass & uninhibited character is a treat to watch!

5 – Brilliant cinematography by Russell Carpenter ("Titanic" fame)

6 - For MCP's out there, you will be taught a lesson - "Pehlae Insaan baanna seekh uske baad Mard." (told by Tannishtha to her son Gulab)

7 - Loved hearing the background music.

DEMERITS of Parched

1 – Tannishtha regularly talking to an unknown man calling himself "Shahrukh Khan" does not make any sense. That man plays no real role in her life (or in the film).

2 – The ending is a touch "escapist" in which it is shown that the ladies decide to live the village and go to the city to start a new life. (It'd have been intelligent to show them living lives on their own terms - and in the village itself)

3 – Kishan is shown as a nice,decent man. But, unfortunately, his good-natured attitude is not properly used in the film.

I'd have been happy if he were shown to understand the predicament of the 3 ladies and did some good for them. But no!

4 – I cannot understand the outburst of Surveen Chawla towards Chandan Anand ("Rajesh") when he told her about his plans to take her to the city for more profitable prostitution. Surveen accused him of wanting to be a pimp and take advantage of her.

Fact is, Surveen is already a prostitute and does not give any indication of hating the trade. So her outburst is totally misplaced!

PS:

1 - Radhika Apte is really flowering into a serious actress. I just love the films she is choosing to act in. They all are very meaningful & watchable ones.

Wishing her all the best for the future!

2 - After celebrating Pink we are celebrating Parched!

When was the last time we saw 2 great female-centric movies in a single year? When?

As a man, I'd love to see such female-centric films more and more.