Pataakha
*ing: Sanya Malhotra, Radhika Madan, Sunil Grover, Vijay Raaz
Rated: 5/10
Making a film on almost nothing is an art in need of applause. This one, though based on a book on an eternal bond of hatred between two sisters, comes across as one of those in that category. Can’t say whole-heartedly that there should be unchecked applause but yes, despite all the screechiness and the catfights between two women, it does holds you back in the seat.
Vishal Bhardwaj is known to have a yen for hatke films, even if they are adaptations of known plays by Shakespeare. From Omkara to Patakhaa, he has maintained a distinctness in style and presentation and even the story but that distinctness does not always stand tall.
Patakhaa, a tale of two sisters with only hatred in their hearts for each other, is much too screechy and off-putting when the fights are in progress. It is an unexplained hatred often falling flat on a bed on incredulity. Also, too high pitched to be in the realm of sane cinema. Yet, the film kind of holds you back with deft handling of a nutty relationship. Details like stained teeth due to beedi smoking, the rustic look, the mori-mora language and the ambience of the village where the story pans out are impeccable. As are Sanya and Radhika in their unkempt, almost primitive, roles. Vijay Raaz lends weight to the proceedings but Sunil Grover is beset with a role that is way over the top and largely unexplainable.
Need more laughter, less un-womanly violence and a sequence that did not get disrupted with such volume of insane hatred.