The new film “Love, Sitara” takes its cues from literary classic Anna Karenina, presenting viewers with the opening line: “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way,” spoken by the protagonist Sitara, played by Sobhita Dhulipala. Though the quote from Leo Tolstoy’s work sets the stage for a story filled with emotional complexities, it becomes evident that Vandana Kataria’s film aims high but sometimes misses the mark. The screenplay, penned by Sonia Bahl, is rich with dialogue written by Abbas and Hussain Dalal that attempts to sprinkle self-help wisdom throughout the narrative.
Sitara, commonly called Tara, is an interior designer of notable repute, entangled in a long-term, turbulent relationship with Arjun, portrayed by Rajeev Siddhartha. Arjun, a chef with a job offer in Singapore, finds himself blind-sided when Tara suggests marriage shortly after discovering she is unexpectedly pregnant. Her decision to conceal the pregnancy initially and offer her hand in marriage instead becomes the plot’s central tension.
The narrative takes a multicultural turn as both families gather at Tara’s maternal grandmother’s house in Kerala. This convergence is laced with the comedic flair of a Bollywood drama, complete with family banter over fresh banana fritters and situations reminiscent of “2 States”-style humor. However, the comedic elements are fleeting, making way for a deeper exploration of Tara’s internal and external conflicts.
As Tara and Arjun approach their union, Tara’s friends and family reveal her atypical embrace of marriage, providing backstory on Arjun’s earlier proposal three years prior, which she had rejected. This change of heart, spurred by her pregnancy, leads Tara into an emotional and psychological maelstrom, uncovering fissures in her own perceptions of relationships and family. Parallel to this, she unearths unsettling truths regarding her parents’ marriage, adding another layer of emotional turmoil.
The film brings a slice of director Vandana Kataria’s previous thematic focus on complex human experiences, seen in her 2019 debut film “Noblemen,” which dealt with bullying and toxic masculinity. In “Love, Sitara,” Kataria shifts her lens to the female experience, featuring Sonali Kulkarni and veteran theatre actor B. Jayashree in pivotal roles.
. Jayashree’s portrayal of the eccentrically endearing Amumma brings a vivid element to the family dynamic. Despite the rich setup, “Love, Sitara” often struggles to attain the psychological depth and rawness that marked Kataria’s earlier work. The screenplay aims for authentic messiness but refrains from fully venturing into that territory.
One of the significant drawbacks of the film is the screenplay’s juggling act between English and Hindi, with snippets of Malayalam peppered in, leading to a family drama that feels somewhat orchestrated rather than organic. The characters frequently spout neatly packaged aphorisms like, “Happiness lies in honesty,” and “A mistake can wreck a thousand lives,” which may detract from the authenticity of real-life dialogue.
The narrative peaks with heightened emotions, precipitating an intense yet melodramatic confrontation complete with thunderstorm theatrics. Despite the film being set in the scenic Kerala countryside, the location sometimes feels underutilized, and certain characters verge on caricatures, such as the loquacious housemaid with an alcoholic husband.
However, the penultimate scene redeems these flaws as Tara and Arjun engage in a raw, honest argument, capturing the essence of a couple burdened by their shared history. Sobhita Dhulipala’s portrayal of Tara showcases her versatility, notably drawing comparisons to her role as Tara Khanna in the Prime Video series “Made in Heaven.” Dhulipala’s nuanced performance allows viewers to empathize with her character’s internal struggle, even if the shadow of her previous role looms large.
Among the standout supporting characters is Arjun’s father, played by Ikhlaque Khan, a retired army man with an obsession with national duty and discipline. His performance offers a compelling depiction of a traditional patriarch wrestling with modern familial roles. Equally noteworthy is Tara’s best friend Anjali, played by Tamara D’Souza, an award-winning photojournalist whose character adds a dimension of social reality to the pre-wedding festivities by documenting human rights issues.
In summation, “Love, Sitara,” streaming on ZEE5, is a layered, emotionally charged film that examines the messiness of relationships and the complexities of familial bonds. Although it grapples with its share of imperfections, the powerful performances, particularly by Sobhita Dhulipala, ensure it is a meaningful watch.
Published – September 27, 2024, 12:32 pm IST
Indian cinema / Hindi cinema / reviews
