Thappad movie review: The Indian Express film critic Shubhra Gupta says Thappad is an important film.
Anubhav Sinha directorial Thappad, starring Taapsee Pannu, Pavail Gulati, Tanvi Azmi, Ratna Pathak Shah, Kumud Mishra and Ram Kapoor among others, releases today. The film charts the journey of Pannu’s character Amrita who decides to divorce her husband Vikram (Gulati) after he slaps her at a party. But her family members try to reason with her saying, ‘It was just one slap.’
Talking about Thappad in an interview with indianexpress.com, Taapsee shared, “I think it’s a talking point. It’s a film that deals with a subject that’s been shoved under the carpet for the longest time. And which can make people feel either really uncomfortable or totally at comfort that finally, this is out in the open.”
The makers of Thappad held several special screenings of the movie. After watching it, many found it “powerful” and “jaw-dropping”.
In her review of the film, The Indian Express film critic Shubhra Gupta wrote, “Thappad resonates, as it is meant to. Because the director shows, without mincing any words (sometimes too many), just how patriarchy is handed down from one generation to another, and women are equally complicit. Those are the most effective parts of the film, in which we are shown just how women are always being told how to feel, how to keep their feelings in check, how not to give into them.”
She added, “Pannu holds the film, but the effort she puts into her performance shows. There is a more welcome edge in the way Sarao comes across, with her own dismissive spouse (Kaul), as well as Ohylan’s spirited ‘kaam-waali’. And in the way all the main characters are given redemptive speeches, some of the sharpness is leached away.”
@chitgunn wrote on Twitter, "Thappad is such a powerful drama with well developed characters that you really care about it. The messaging is not in your face and the writing is crisp. Absolutely loved the film and one of the greatest dramas I have seen recently. @taapsee @anubhavsinha #Thappad."
"#Thappad Interval: Serious, intense cinema. The drama begins with that one slap and from thereon, it's a strong, emotional road on display.
@taapsee
is utterly terrific playing the girl at the center, acing both the shades so far!, " @sidhuwrites tweeted.
Somesh Sinha tweeted, "#ThappadReview: #Thappad is a commanding story, has an authoritative central character, has several dominant and thought-provoking moments, which makes it an all-persuasive film. #Thappad boasts of some of the most talented names on and off screen. And the outcome is laudable!"
"#Thappad is a deeply layered, well-executed & Important film that moves very smartly, explores everything perfectly and leaves a huge impact.
@anubhavsinha
Thankyou for This Clapping hands sign
@taapsee
wins over me once again with her stellar performance & Choices," tweeted @boxoffice_stats.
"Must watch movie.... Thappad on patriarchy,. Will be a super hit @taapsee .. love you ma'am," itanshi nailwal tweeted.
Talking to ETimes, Taapsee Pannu said, “I think personal opinions of actors should not affect their profession and I don’t really think it does to an extent. It takes about 1000-2000 tweets to trend a certain hashtag. Does that really affect a film? I don’t think so. I might have different social and political views from a lot of people but that does not mean people will not go and watch the film. An actor is never bigger than a film. A film has hundreds of people involved in it. It is stupid to decide whether or not you will watch a movie based on an actor’s socio-political views.”
Ayushmann Khurrana tweeted, '#Thappad is the most important film of our generation. @anubhavsinha sir take a bow. Kudos @taapsee @pavailkgulati @Manavkaul19 @deespeak @mrunmayeelagoo #SoumikMukherjee #KumudMishra #RatnaPathakShah #NailaGrewal #MayaSarao @farewellwaltz. Must watch! It’s a master class.'
Taapsee Pannu posted a note for Thappad director Anubhav Singh on Instagram. The note read,"“????? ?? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ??, ??? ?? ??? ???? ??? ??? “ that day and now I am the biggest fan of your love affair with words and lines. The proud witness of version 2.0, I really don’t know if I am a bigger fan of the writer/director or the human being he is! He has spoilt his actors for delivering their best and being their best. Not just my filmography but the book of my life (if ever there is one) shall be incomplete without writing about you. (And since it’s WRITING, I shall send it to you only for doctoring) Yet another Friday for us and with full faith in the honesty with which we made our career’s best film, we shall soon get back to breaking our own record! ZINDABAD!@anubhavsinhaa"
Saiyami Kher posted on Twitter, "One of the best films I've seen in a while, #Thappad puts out a strong message for BOTH men & women. Doesn't fall into a stereotypical trap of becoming a male-bashing, preachy film. Brilliant performances & writing. PLS WATCH. Thank you @anubhavsinha @taapsee @pavailkgulati"
“#Thappad is a film for everyone. Even though it fights patriarchy, it’s informed, sensitive, and creates an environment that doesn’t glorify any of the two sides. @anubhavsinha Hats off. @taapsee delivers easily one of her best performances,” shared user @jashtchill on Twitter.
User @Bollywood_Wale wrote via Twitter, “#ThappadReview One Word Review :- Fearless Rating :- 4 stars #Thappad is one of the best Bollywood films in the recent times It’s not just a slap, it’s the thought which makes the society uncomfortable. @taapsee @anubhavsinha thank you for telling this story through your art.”
User @Aritracalling tweeted, “@taapsee you are the performance of the year so far. #Thappad is a tight slap on the face of patriarchy and male privilege. Kudos to u for choosing this subject. Will push my whole family to watch this gem of a movie. @anubhavsinha wish all men watch this. Cheers to womanhood.”
“#Thappad: POWERFUL. Rating: 4 stars @anubhavsinha makes a strong statement yet again. @taapsee spectacular, even her silence speaks volumes. Outstanding Movie With Social Message For Society terrific. Must watch! #ThappadReview #FridayVibes #ThappadMovieReview,” user @imakshaykothari shared on Twitter.
“#Thappad out in cinemas today. Watch it for its sharp, compelling depiction of deep-rooted gender imbalance and male privilege. And a stunning ensemble led by the formidable @taapsee, who’s on top of her game in this one,” user @AniGuha tweeted.
User @SinhaSomesh shared on Twitter, “#FinalVerdict: AUDACIOUS Rating:4 stars #ThappadReview: Produced by @TSeries and @BenarasM, director @anubhavsinha's #Thappad is a thought-provoking film that deserves a prolonged applause. One of the most comprehensive scripts to come out of the #Hindi film industry in 2020!”
“.@unwomenindia is proud to support #Thappad (the movie, not actual slaps!) For there is no excuse for any form of violence against women & girls,” the official handle posted on Twitter.
“#Thappad Just a film? No. @anubhavsinha #Thappad, as pointed as #Mulk and #article15 but markedly less dramatic, cuts close to the bone. It is likely to reverberate beyond the darkened movie halls where it plays. It has the potential to force audience @taapsee,” tweeted user @Freaky_rj.
“EVERY MAN EVERY WOMAN MUST MUST MUST WATCH #THAPPAD ! BLOWN AWAY BEYOND WORDS... THANK YOU @anubhavsinha @mrunmayeelagoo @taapsee @deespeak and the entire crew and cast... *aap sab magic ho*,” producer Guneet Monga wrote via Twitter.
Richa Chadha urged everyone to watch Thappad. She tweeted, “#Thappad hits cinemas today! @anubhavsinha ‘s best. A deeply felt film about ingrained sexism in both women and men. @taapsee shines, along with a SUPERLATIVE cast @deespeak @Manavkaul19 #mayasarao. Teared up and missed my own dad when I saw #KumudMishra #RatnaPathakShah.”
User @Nilzrav wrote on Twitter, “Interval #Thappad: TERRIFIC! @AnubhavSinha lives & breathes all his characters. Each & every scene has immense layers to it and delves perfectly into the minds of men & women around us. I am halfway into the film, but @Taapsee has nailed it like never before. #ThappadReview.”
“#Thappad is jaw-dropping good - a film so powerful, it emits intelligence and sparkle in every frame, every dialogue, every little movement. @anubhavsinha may be the only filmmaker consistently making movies this country needs. The bar’s been set high - very high - for 2020,” posted user @AniGuha on Twitter.
User @Nilzrav tweeted, “#ThappadReview: Never knew that I did LOVE the film so much, and least of all that I did be emotional at the end of it. The BRILLIANCE of simplicity & yet HARD-HITTING! The #Thappad not from a husband to his wife, but from a film on the society. SALUTE @AnubhavSinha & @Taapsee!”
“#OneWordReview...#Thappad: POWERFUL. Rating: 4 stars. Anubhav Sinha makes a strong statement yet again. #Thappad asks uncomfortable questions, his best work so far... #Taapsee spectacular, even her silence speaks volumes. #PavailGulati terrific... Must watch! #ThappadReview,” shared entertainment tracker Girish Johar via Twitter.
Rajkummar Rao mentioned on Twitter, "#THAPPAD is a MUST watch film. @anubhavsinha you’re a master storyteller sir, @taapsee u r a force to be reckoned with. @deespeak #Paveil #KumudMishra #RatnaPathak #Gayatri #TanviAzmi #Maya #ManavKaul #RamKapoor #NailaGulati what brilliant performances. Take a bow team. @TSeries"
"I saw #Thappad last night.. and wept...@anubhavsinha sir you have created such fine characters and portrayed the prevailing silent misogyny and stereotypes that surround us!! @taapsee my friend shines.. more power to all of you!!," Huma Qureshi said via Twitter.
Patralekhaa shared on Twitter, "#Thappad is such a beautiful film. I felt the pain. I wept a bit. I rooted for the women. N then I realised how fighting patriachy most women succumb to it. The cherry on the cake is that this film is directed by a man! @anubhavsinha sir you r a master storyteller. @taapsee you are like always a delight to watch. @pavailkgulati you were just so good. I mean everyone in this film was pitch perfect @deespeak #mayasarao #kumudmishra @GeetikaVidya #tanviazmi #Thappad"
Annup Sonii wrote on Twitter, "Saw #Thappad last night...@anubhavsinha you are the film maker who is making films that are important for our society/country. And making them bloody well. A must watch film. Brilliant performances @taapsee @pavailkgulati @deespeak #Geetika #TanveAzmi #kumudmishra #Maya"
Tisca Chopra tweeted, "If there is one film you see this year, make it #Thappad, simple yet powerful in a person’s quest for respect. Bravo @anubhavsinha @taapsee @pavailkgulati #TanviAzmi @deespeak @mrunmayeelagoo. Thank you chanpion oh good cinema @anuragkashyap10 #InCinemasToday #CantMissThisOne"
Tahira Kashyap Khurrana posted on Twitter, "#thappad is a wonderful film. It’ll achieve its intention when both men & women go watch it! @anubhavsinha your film making is a master class in itself! @taapsee so much ease in your character that the uneasiness looks so relatable. @deespeak @pavailkgulati & rest of the cast are exceptional"