Thappad: When a Slap Shatters the Illusion of Marital Bliss

It takes a single strike to shatter the illusion of a picture-perfect marriage in Thappad Movie. Director Anubhav Sinha’s unflinching social drama follows Amrita (Taapsee Pannu), a devoted housewife whose world unravels when her husband Vikram (Pavail Gulati) slaps her at a party.

Beneath the bruise left by this fleeting act of aggression lies a deep wound – one inflicted by years of casual disrespect and unspoken inequality. As Amrita grapples with this realization, Thappad questions the normalized imbalance in marriages and society at large.

Buy Airtel Broadband with exciting benefits!

A Slap Heard Across Households

Thappad Movie’s central incident is a stark reminder of the everyday injustices women face, even in seemingly happy households. Sinha’s nuanced screenplay uses Vikram’s impulsive slap as a powerful metaphor for the myriad ways in which patriarchy asserts itself:

• Amrita’s domestic labour is taken for granted.

• Her ambitions are dismissed in favour of Vikram’s

• Even her parents urge her to “let it go” and prioritize Vikram’s reputation.

In scene after scene, we see the casual sexism and double standards Amrita navigates. Her plight is mirrored in the women around her – from her lawyer Nethra (Maya Sarao) to her mother Sandhya (Ratna Pathak Shah), each dealing with the consequences of male entitlement.

Taapsee Pannu’s Tour-de-Force Performance

Shouldering the emotional weight of Thappad Movie is Taapsee Pannu in a career-defining role. Her Amrita is no firebrand rebel, but an everyday woman shaken out of her complacency. Pannu’s understated performance captures Amrita’s inner turmoil with heartbreaking authenticity:

• The way she flinches at Vikram’s touch post the slap

• The quiet resolve in her eyes as she files for divorce

• The tremor in her voice as she asserts her self-worth

Pannu peels away Amrita’s layers with restraint and vulnerability, making us root for her with every tentative step towards emancipation. In a poignant scene, Amrita asks her father, “Kya meri zindagi ka itna hi mol hai?” (Is this all my life is worth?). Pannu imbues those words with the ache of a woman realizing her worth for the first time.

The Supporting Cast Elevates the Narrative

While Pannu anchors Thappad Movie, the ensemble cast fleshes out its layered narrative:

• Pavail Gulati lends depth to Vikram, a product of toxic masculinity struggling to evolve.

• Kumud Mishra shines as Amrita’s father, a rare supportive presence in her fight.

• Dia Mirza has a memorable cameo as Vikram’s ex-Shivani, highlighting society’s double standards.

Each character is a piece of the larger commentary Sinha weaves on marriage, gender roles, and systemic oppression. Through their intersecting arcs, Thappad shows how patriarchy entraps both women and men in rigid expectations.

Anurag Saikia’s Soul-Stirring Soundtrack

Complementing the poignant visuals is Anurag Saikia’s evocative soundtrack. The haunting strains of “Ek Tukda Dhoop” underscore Amrita’s journey from disillusionment to self-discovery. Raghav Chaitanya’s plaintive vocals give voice to her inner transformation with lines like:

“Thes lagi hai to kya, Zakhm bhi toh gehre hain” (So what if I’m hurt, my wounds run deep)

The songs serve as musical interludes reflecting the characters’ emotional states – from Vikram’s entitled rage in “Kya Baat Aa” to Amrita’s quiet resilience in “Hayo Rabba”.

Reception and Impact

Thappad Movie struck a chord with critics and audiences alike upon its February 2020 release:

• It earned ₹44.54 crore at the box office against a ₹24 crore budget.

• The film swept the Filmfare Awards with 11 wins, including Best Film and Best Actress for Pannu.

• It holds a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 14 reviews

Beyond accolades, Thappad sparked necessary conversations around domestic violence, marital rape, and women’s rights. Several police departments leveraged its impact to encourage women to report abuse. The film’s resonance lay in its refusal to sensationalize trauma, instead holding up a mirror to everyday aggressions.

Thappad Movie: Where to Watch Online

As of May 2023, Thappad Movie is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. This makes it easily accessible to viewers across India. So grab your popcorn and settle in for a thought-provoking watch.

Pro tip: For an uninterrupted viewing experience, consider upgrading to an Airtel Xstream Fiber connection. With speeds up to 1 Gbps and unlimited data, you can enjoy Thappad and other socially relevant cinema without any buffering.

The Verdict

At its core, Thappad Movie is a rallying cry against the normalization of disrespect. It reminds us that abuse need not be persistent or physical to erode one’s self-esteem. By centring Amrita’s empowering awakening, Sinha and Pannu deliver a universally resonant film that demands change, one slap at a time.

So, have you watched Thappad Movie yet? If yes, did it shift your perspective on marital dynamics and gender roles? If you haven’t, add this essential viewing to your watchlist now. Because as Amrita’s journey teaches us, it’s never too late to stand up for your dignity.

FAQs

1. Is Thappad based on a true story?
   While not a biopic, Thappad is rooted in the everyday realities of many Indian women who face casual sexism and disrespect in their marriages.

    

2. What is the message of Thappad?
   Thappad asserts that respect and equality are non-negotiable in any relationship. It questions societal conditioning that pressures women to tolerate mistreatment.

    

3. How long is Thappad Movie?
   The film has a runtime of 2 hours 21 minutes (141 minutes).

    

4. Why is Thappad rated UA?
   Thappad is rated U/A (Parental Guidance for children under 12) for its mature theme of domestic violence and mild language.

    

5. Who wrote the Thappad Movie?
   The story and screenplay are co-written by Anubhav Sinha and Mrunmayee Lagoo Waikul.