Indian cinema has witnessed many a tale of warring brothers, but feuding sisters have been few and far between, if that.
In romantic dramas, the sibling rivalry would often be caused by a common love interest. That is not the case with Vishal Bhardwaj’s Pataakha.
Bhardwaj's protagonists, sisters Champa and Genda, fondly known as Badki and Chutki, just can’t bear the sight of each other. From childhood to adolescence, the sisters don’t hesitate to get involved in physical battle, that too, in full public view.
The film's makers unveiled a riveting trailer of Pataakha on Independence Day. Ironically, Champa and Genda are unlikely to get freedom from each other for life.
The trailer scores for its gripping story and unabashed rustic flavour, but above all Bhardwaj seems to have got his casting right.
Sanya Malhotra had made her debut with Aamir Khan’s Dangal (2016), which was set in Haryana. Champa and Genda, too, seem to have a Haryanvi tone to their characters. Compared to Dangal, however, Malhotra’s character in Pataakha appears more earthy, more brusque.
Director and producer Bhardwaj is no stranger to the Hindi heartland. His Omkara (2006) was based In Uttar Pradesh while Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola (2013) was set in Haryana. Pataakha seems like it is set in Haryana and central India.
Radhika Madan makes the switch from TV to films, but who would have expected her to step into the role of Champa? Just as ferocious as Genda, Champa is the lustier of the two. Despite the hatred between their characters, Madan and Malhotra look like a formidable pair on screen, Pataakha (crackers) in every sense.
The other notable character is that of Naradmuni, played by actor comedian Sunil Grover. He is Champa and Genda’s best friend, but no one enjoys the sibling rivalry more than Naradmuni. Hindi cinema has so far not done justice to Grover's talent, but that looks set to change with Pataakha.
Vijay Raaz plays the father of the siblings. He is mired in a mess and needs to pay a hefty bribe of Rs4 lakh to get out of it. He seeks help from a moneylender Patel (Saanand Verma), who is ready to oblige but seeks one of the daughters' hand in return.
But the siblings are not single. Champa elopes with her beloved, leaving Genda to be married to Patel. Genda’s boyfriend is described as an English teacher from the army. Genda emulates Champa by eloping with her man on the night of her wedding. The two young men are unheralded names and we will know more about these actors in the days to come.
Perhaps marriage alone was what could have separated the warring siblings, but as destiny would have it, runaway brides Champa and Genda end up in the same household; their spouses turn out to be brothers.
Bhardwaj has turned out a crisp, raw, explosive, humorous and thoroughly gripping trailer. Pataakha is based on Charan Singh Pathik’s short story Do Behnein. Sibling revelry is passe. Brace yourselves for explosive sibling rivalry.
Watch the trailer of Pataakha below. and tell us if you will be watching this film. The film is set to be released on 28 September.