‘Dhai Akhar’ Review: This film based on women’s existence and desires puts the society in the dock

‘A woman should be a prostitute to her husband at night and a slave during the day. This means that the wife’s place is always going to be under his/her feet!’ This dialogue of the film reflects the patriarchal thinking that has been prevalent for centuries, which has always considered women as an object of enjoyment and consumption for men. But when the same woman rebels for her existence and desires, she is put in the dock. Director Praveen Arora’s film ‘Dhai Aakhar’ revolves around this thread. The film is based on the novel Tirthatan by senior Hindi writer Amrik Singh Deep.

Story of ‘Dhai Aakhar’

The story, set in the eighties, sees widow Harshita (Mrinal Kulkarni) go to Haridwar on a pilgrimage. She has two young sons, daughters-in-law and teenage granddaughter at home. Suddenly at home, her elder daughter-in-law finds many love letters from Harshita’s Ramayana, which reveals that Harshita has not gone on pilgrimage, but to meet her writer lover Shridhar (Harish Khanna). There is chaos in the family. On the other hand, Harshita, who went to meet Sridhar, goes through painful and horrifying flashbacks of her married life, where she had to go through her husband’s beatings, sexual harassment and torture her entire life in a mismatched and forced marriage.

It is further revealed how after the death of her abusive husband, Harshita was turned towards stories and books by her younger daughter-in-law. In the same connection, Harshita came across the stories of well-known writer Shridhar and a series of letters started between the two. Somewhere in Shridhar’s story, she sees her own past and the incompleteness of Shridhar’s sensitivity and joy becomes the basis of their love.

When Harshita returns home after a happy time with Sridhar, her sons not only plot to throw her out of the house but also resort to violence against her. Will Harshita, who has endured her husband’s beatings and torture all her life, now tolerate her sons’ beatings and insults? Or will she take a stand for herself? You will know this after watching the film.

Trailer of ‘Dhai Akhar’

‘Dhaai Akhar’ movie review

The film, which was screened in the prestigious Panorama section at IFFI Goa last year, has been appreciated at many national and international film festivals. Director Praveen Arora takes the story forward in a very smooth and simple manner. In this one hour 37 minutes long film, the director immediately gets to the point. Yes, the film seems dull at some places, like the sequences of Harshita and Sridhar’s love story, but the director through his/her story covers all the issues of patriarchy, mismatched marriages, domestic violence, women yearning for respect and love. .

Being based on a novel, the story also has many poignant and thought-provoking dialogues. Kavita Seth has decorated the songs written by Irshad Kamil in the music of Anupam Roy with her Sufi voice.

Talking about acting, Mrinal Harshita has won the hearts of the audience before in ‘Srikanth’ and ‘Kamala Ki Maut’ on small and big screen. This time too she has swallowed her character. From an oppressed housewife to a confident widow fighting for her survival, her transformation is impressive.

Harish Khanna has done a great job as writer Sridhar. Rohit Kokate has done justice to his/her role in every way as an arrogant and abusive husband. Prasanna Bisht has got an important role in the story as the younger daughter-in-law, which she has performed with full dedication. Chandan Anand, Neer Roy and Smriti Mishra have given good support in the role of Abadi Bahu as sons.

Why watch- Those fond of feminist films based on literature can watch this film.