Media Magick

Films that reflect societal norms and cultural practices are hard to find. In the last few years, Bollywood has come up with subjects that resonate the society and how it reacts in different situations. Mostly such subjects are set in a lower-middle-class setup. For instance, films like Dum Laga Kay Haiesha, Badhaai Ho, Angrezi Mein Kehtay Hain and others are examples of such films. Pagglait also tells a story that is close to heart and people often go through such times in life or must have witnessed them. Pagglait is the second directorial film of Umesh Bist (O Teri being the debut that bombed at the box office). This Netflix Original features Sanya Malhotra in the titular character. Pagglait is loaded with ensemble cast like Ashutosh Rana, Raghubir Yadav, Sheeba Chaddha and Sayani Gupta among others. Let’s see what the film offers to its viewers.

Pagglait is the story of Sandhya who is recently widowed after 5 months of her marriage. How families react in such situations and how a flock of relatives appear from everywhere are a few angles that are showcased in the film with quite a maturity. The treatment of sarcasm and comic elements at the backdrop of a gloomy and depressing situation is handled with multiple truth bombs planted throughout the movie. Pagglait is all about how a woman is perceived in this society and irrespective of the fact that everyone thinks about the woman but no one asks what she exactly wants in life. Pagglait sheds light on what most women go through in life and how they are, at many times, taken for granted.

The star of the movie is its script; the Pagglait is beautifully written as it teaches some great lessons without being too-preachy. From the setting to the language and handling of the emotions, the film qualifies to be the finest attempt by Umesh Bist. Music is effective and helps in narrating the mood of the scenes, wherever required.

Performance wise, Ashutosh Rana supersedes in every scene and he gets the most beautifully crafted lines to speak. A few of his scenes hit the audience hard in the spot. When he asks for discount, tells that it’s his son who died and when he outbursts in front of his wife; all scenes are not only written very carefully but are performed impeccably. Sanya Malhotra delivers a mature performance. Sanya handles her part very well and displays the discomfort and perplexing emotions with ease. Her scenes and confrontations with Sayani Gupta are very calculated and don’t go overboard. She is getting better with every film.

Sheeba Chaddha excels in a few scenes and she impresses her audience. Sayani Gupta is effective. Raghubir Yadav is as usual, terrific with his peculiar style. Aasif Khan is a good talent; he is getting decent roles after proving his screen presence in Panchayat, Pataal Lok and Mirzapur.

A sugar-coated capsule that will leave you with an after-taste of discomfort and happiness, that’s what Pagglait is. Watch it and be ready to feel sad and happy.