Leena Yadav’s ‘brave’ directorial bankrolled by Ajay Devgn’s production house starring Radhika Apte, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Surveen Chawla, Leher Khan, Riddhi Sen and Adil Hussain among others in important roles. Why the word brave within quotes? You may already have an idea but read on to find out.
 

What is it about?
Parched traces the lives of three friends Radhika (Lajjo), Tannishtha (Rani) and Surveen (Bijili) set in the ultraconservative village society of remote Rajasthani suburb. What is the liberation that Lajjo (whose alleged infertility has earned the dissent of her husband), Rani (who faces the demonic dissatisfaction of her son over the girl she got him married to) and Bijili (who is boldly a sex worker but yearns for a better life) seek in life? What do they do in order to gain what they’ve wanted all their life but still haven’t found?
 

What makes up the film?
Perhaps the title of the film was decided thus since it deals with the not openly talked about ‘parched’ aspect of an unliberated woman’s life.  Especially, in the clutches of a  closed society. There are many films that talk about women's liberation but rarely has a film fought a take on the sexual abuse she faces, even under a socially approved pact of marriage. Thus the film is seen building a simple plot to talk on this topic.
 

What works?
The cast and the artfully crafted, bold dialogues. Equal importance has been given to all three women. They seem to have taken required efforts cheerfully to bring out more than what was required. There is humour in the film but on a very subtle note. The film is in every way an art film and has considerable metaphorical elements to it.
 

What doesn’t work?
You know how there is so many tragic domestic violence making news but soon falls into our blind spots? The film’s subject is somewhat similar. Very less is phenomenal for its Indian audience, except that which has already been ‘leaked’ and discussed. Though it has sound performances, technical finesse, and a well-woven plot, it still borders on the word ‘common’ for an average moviegoer.
 

Well?
Overall, the film is like a neatly composed novel converted flawlessly and boldly into a film. Like every other book which is either a page turner or not, depending on the reader’s mindset, so is ‘Parched’ and its engagement.