Dark comedy is high on ambition, low on ideas
The problem with films made on social issues in the Hindi film industry is that they lack sincerity. Not in tackling the issue, but integrating it with an interesting narrative. More often than not, the story fails to hold your attention beyond the mechanics of its social significance. ..
Another characteristic of this film is that it is not uncomfortable to watch. The representation of suffering and pain in the film often suffers from generational pitfalls, but this does not make the film unpleasant to watch. ..
Darlings, for the most part, succeeds in carving out its own place within the filmmaking traditions. It is courageous in exposing domestic violence and Alia Bhatt’s protagonist, Badru. However, somewhere along the way, the film’s descent into melodrama begins. This ultimately leads to Darlings’ inability to salvage itself. ..
Badru and Hamza marry after the latter lands a government job. It is a huge plus for a prospective groom in India to have one. The love marriage, almost three years hence, still suffers from Hamza’s alcohol-induced rage and physical abuse of Badru. It is the same story every day. Hamza gets drunk at night, repulsed by the work he is made to do, comes home, lashes out at Badru, and in the morning, tries to act apologetic and woo her. A police complaint almost sends Hamza to his doom but he sweet talks his way out of it. Shamshu (Shefali Shah), Badru’s mother, tells her to be cautious around a vengeful Hamza, who tries to figure out who made the complaint.
Hamza, a Muslim man at work, discovers that his drinking has damaged his liver and he will die soon if he doesn’t stop. He does, and things are looking up for a while as Badru bears a child. As fate would have it, Hamza’s paranoia gets the better of him and he suspects infidelity on Badru’s part when he gets to know it was Zulfi (Roshan Matthew), a family friend, who had made the complaint. From there, Badru turns on Hamza and conjures her darker side to deal with him. ..
Domestic violence in India has been a problem for a long time. The practice of abuse and entitlement comes from the idea that the female is a “possession” of the male. This mindset is a generational legacy that we have, as a nation, carried on into the 21st century. It is not necessarily representative of our identity or our philosophical musings on the position of women in society, but it is certainly reflective of an ongoing problem destroying people’s lives. ‘Darlings’ has some stark moments of action that do evoke resentment. They are confronting not only on the surface but beyond it as well, forcing you to introspect. ..
Director Jasmeet Reen churns the fleeting undercurrents of emotion in the story into fully fleshed-out societal themes. Her canvas is wide and her generosity and loyalty to the themes if admirable. Bollywood films do not allow directors to have voices of their own. Producers are looking to present films in ways that will only see them turn a profit. So Jasmeet standing her ground and laying the traps of her story without compromising the central stream of thought deserves credit. Even her framework of defiant women in the face of adversity paints a glowing picture. Its strength is that it is not too self-indulgent and responsive to the dynamism in her narrative. The outlier is the ability of the structure to absorb deviations with its chin up.
The film has a distinguished pedigree in the personnel involved in it. For those who aren’t familiar with Bollywood, Alia Bhatt is probably the industry’s most talented star with immensely powerful roles under her belt. She finds top form while navigating playing a simple girl with grounded, affecting personal goals; and a turned, wounded woman bent on changing her life. Vijay Verma is fresh off his success in Mirzapur but confronts a different challenge in the shape of his sociopathic Hamza. His character build-up is engaging and fascinating for how he internalizes the anger and entitlement of his male privilege.
The intense violence in Kumbalingi Nights is reminiscent of Fahadh Faasil in his performance in Kumbalingi Nights. In those violent moments, he truly owns the screen and holds you like glue. Shefali Shah brings an unfamiliar innocent and child-like spontaneity to her character, Shamshu, who is unlike any Indian mother we have seen. Roshan Matthew gives a steady performance in his Hindi debut. ..
The first half of the film is strong, but the second half falls short. The main takeaway from this film is that it is refreshing to see a change in tone, and that the performance by the actors is key.
The end of the world is coming, and it’s not going to be pretty. That’s what many people are saying, and there’s good reason for them to be worried. The world is on the brink of an apocalypse that could devastate everything on Earth, and it’s not going to be easy to survive. Some people are predicting that the end of the world will happen in 2020 or 2030, but others say it could happen any time now. And even if it doesn’t happen in those years, there’s a good chance that something bad will happen soon. So what should you do if you think the world is about to end? Here are some tips:
- Make sure you’re prepared for anything. If you’re not sure how to handle a situation where the world ends, learn as much as you can. There are plenty of resources available online and in books, so don’t be afraid to ask around or look for help if you need it.
- Get organized. Make a plan for what you’ll do when things get tough and know where your supplies are located. You never know when something might go wrong and need them – make sure you have them ready!
- Be brave. Don’t be afraid to take risks – even if they seem impossible at first glance. If there’s anything in life that can make us happy, risk it! And remember: no one knows when or how things will turn out – so live life with hope!
