Laapataa Ladies

those who paved the way. Each step forward is built upon the foundation laid by someone else. As Kiran Rao mentioned in our interview, which you can check out here, she introduced a character into this narrative - Manju Maai, played by Chhaya Kadam. Manju ek station par chaai bechti hai is a benefactor to many who live on the station. Just by the simple act of allowing Phool to sit on the bench by her tea shop, Manju saves that little lost girl from the worst fate imaginable. But Manju is harsh, she has had to clear paths for herself and like any Krantikari, knows the way to bring about change is not easy. Usko kisi ne feminism nahi sikhaya, lekin itna pata hai aage kisi ki life bachaani hai toh is “fraud scheme” ke baare mein awareness laani hogi where women’s worth is pegged to their utility around the household. It’s a wonderful ode to mothers and grandmothers who stood in the way and took the blows. A kind of hard work that doesn’t pay dividends during most of their lifetimes. Through Manju, Laapataa Ladies takes one hard look from a distance at the institution of patriarchy, and then slowly but steadily moves closer to pull the curtains back and show you the frailty of its outdated traditions. Why do they want to keep women hidden away and what happens when we find each other, our collective willpower threatening the very tenets of this “fraud scheme”. It’s a simple enough truth, addressed by the film rather simply as well, with ample of humor and sweet moments to make the medicine go down. Does it occasionally lean towards simplistic? Sure. But does that detract from the overall experience of the film? Not really.