Parched (2015)

People are voting emotionally.

Memorable, crazy movie

Excellent, a Must See

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

This movie is a gem.While the West is so absorbed by navel gazing and the feminist movies are more about "It's my birthday and I'll cry if I want to" here is a strong story about a woman.I feel the description is so wrong and that the people writing it haven't really seen the movie, this movie. Because it is the story of one woman. She is sold as wife to a violent man who abuses her. And even if he is dead in an accident, there is the mother in law and the abusive village elders to abuse her. In the eyes of the society she is lucky: a young widow so there is no husband to beat her up every day, yet she has a son which is so much respectable in the eyes of the society. And she goes buying a wife for the son so she would stop working, the same way her mother in law did. The daughter in law is her. Her from the past perpetuating the old society. Her friend in the village is also her. Only her in a reality in which her husband is alive and she has to bear the shame of not being able to get pregnant. And the prostitute is also her, only her sold to the carny trash and not as family slave.I also loved the way the symbols are decoded for the viewer who does not know the Hindu culture. I am so used with script writers and directors that take for granted the "Universality" of their culture.Contact me with Questions, Comments or Suggestions ryitfork @ bitmail.ch

The highlight of the movie is Radhika Apte's nipple. The Main Act is Radhika Apte doing a nude, simulated sex-scene. Everything else is secondary to that. Even though this is nothing new (Radhika Apte has already done full-frontal scenes in other movies), this kind of thing is still bit scandalous in India.In order to fully understand the context, non-Indians should understand that many Indians still suffer from severe Colonial mentality which makes them believe that the Westerner is better than Indians. This is why Indians bleach their skin. This is why Indians take pride in speaking English. This is why Indians still celebrate Shakespeare when even the British have forgotten him. And this is why India's "Film Festival" gang tries desperately to impress Western audiences. There is nothing more prized in these circles than approval from the Western audience. Western approval is their currency. It is their validation. It is their Salvation.These people know their audience. They know that the typical judge at a Western Film Festival is a liberal who wants to "Save" countries like India by manufacturing certain type of social- change. These movie makers (and actors) know how to play to that gallery. So feminism, gay rights, sexuality, etc. become main themes in their movies - because these are powerful groups in Western media. This is Radhika Apte and Leena Yadav begging Westerners, "We are willing converts, aggressively evangelizing and selling your commandments. Please give us our award now."Though teenage Indian boys will no doubt enjoy some scenes in this movie, to the average Indian adult, the movie is nonsensical. Its as if these "Avant Garde wannabe" film-makers are pissing on India's poverty by sexualizing it and using it to titillate Westerners. They are stereotyping, disrespecting, and misrepresenting some of the most defenseless and vulnerable people in the world. Its like forcibly grabbing the old, torn saree of a poor Indian village woman and displaying it to Westerners so that they can ejaculate on it. All of this just to win some silly awards. To me, it is this stark vulgarity of their greed that is the most prominent feature of every frame in the movie. It is this obscene, cruel, narcissistic, selfish, ultra-capitalism that is the most defining aspect of these movies and such people. But at the end of it all, I can't help but feel sorry them. I hope the trinkets made them happy. I hope that someday people like Radhika Apte and Leena Yadav will recognize their own slave-mentality and find a way to understand what true freedom really is. I hope they will someday grasp the depth of their intellectual and spiritual poverty.And for the Western audience that consumes, rewards, and encourages porn like this: I sincerely hope that you will someday understand why most of us use the term "ignorant" to describe you.

Village intricacies and issues are shown in an amazing, entertaining and most aesthetic way. A very well written, directed and wonderfully acted cinema. Although all actors were fantastic, I'll give a special mention to Surveen Chawla. She has been under the scanner for bad roles and I genuinely believe she has the potential to succeed in meaningful roles. Radhika Apte and Tannishtha Chatterjee did a great job as expected. Finally, most kudos for Leena Yadav, who has scripted and directed this flick with near perfection.Storyline Rating: 4 Content: 4 Commercialization: 2 Entertainment: 3Acting Rating: 3 Surveen Chawla: 4 Radhika Apte: 3 Tannishtha Chatterjee: 3 Riddhi Sen: 3Direction Rating: 4Music Rating: 2Cinematography: 3Editing: 3

Parched: While the nation is still rejoicing Pink, here is another movie which hails and celebrates womanhood. Absolute brilliant acting and a tight screenplay further makes the 2 hours journey worth every minute.The opening of the film itself makes you to sit up and watch. It's where the 2 main leads are basking in the wind on a bus ride experiencing the freedom the wind has, literally. The story revolves around 3 women. Parched in their own individual lives. Rani, a widow with a son of marriageable age. Lajjo, stuck in a abusive marriage and stigma of being childless and Bijlii the village prostitute who actually is a symbol of freedom. Strong Women; not aware how strong can they be. Women like you and me who discuss love, men and sex. Find solace in each other's company. Enjoy a personal joke, gossip harmlessly and admire Sharukh Khan. Women ,fighting their own battles everyday and emerging as winners in the end, everyday. Radhika Apte is the new Smita Patil of our country and there is no second thought to it. Her Lajjo in this film evokes both, love and compassion from the viewers. Smiling at every possible chance life offers, she sparkles with hope throughout the film. A little attention to her accent will help her to shine further.Tannishtha Chatterjee as Rani, steal your heart when she is worried about looking old or is admiringly sending her own daughter in law off with another boy. The brazen Bijlii played by Surveen Chawla will make you emotional .The hope of love and the pain of rejection both in a span of one scene will leave you speechless. Chandan Anaand as Rajesh will linger on your mind for a while too. All the others have done their job well and add to making the film better. There is no unrealistic song and dance sequence just because its Rajasthan ;which is a relief. The sets have a bit of touristic touch, but then Rajasthan is colorful! The film could have been in simple Hindi, the Rajasthani touch to the dialogues is a little unconvincing at places. Yes, Parched reminded me of yet another classic Mirch Masala at more than one place. Besides of course the backdrop of Rajasthan, the characters too ;seemed close to the cult film . Mirch Masala talked about women education and Parched raises the issue of women independence; not just monetarily, but in all sense. Nonetheless, it is definitely worth a watch. It is a film which celebrates the victory of Sita who doesn't wait for any Rama to fight for her in this bias patriarchal society. Instead this time she decides to fight back and save herself. So, go and check out the women power. Cheers to friendship, cheers to women power!!