Love, Sitara offers a biting satire of modern Indian relationships, exposing the hypocrisy and dysfunction simmering beneath the surface of seemingly perfect families. While its execution occasionally falters, the film’s unflinching portrayal of flawed characters and the stark contrast between traditional and modern ideals makes for a compelling, albeit uneven, viewing experience. This exploration delves into the film’s strengths, weaknesses, and the overall impact it leaves on the audience.
A Kerala Wedding and a Cascade of Secrets
Love, Sitara explodes onto the screen with a vibrant Kerala wedding, immediately introducing us to Tara (Sobhita Dhulipala), a seemingly carefree woman caught in the web of her dysfunctional family. This isn’t your typical Bollywood portrayal of a happy family; instead, we are presented with a masterclass in subtle manipulation and carefully concealed truths. The film cleverly establishes the family’s toxic dynamic, revealing layers of hypocrisy and hushed secrets that threaten to unravel their carefully constructed facade. “**It is a typical toxic Indian family that runs on hypocrisy and harbours several hushed secrets, enough to tear it apart.**” This opening scene instantly hooks the viewer, promising a story that will delve into the complexities of relationships within a traditional Indian context.
The film doesn’t shy away from showcasing the flawed nature of romantic relationships, not just for Tara, but for almost every couple portrayed. Tara’s own romantic journey is far from smooth sailing. Early on, we witness her panic after discovering she’s pregnant, leading to an impulsive marriage proposal to her chef boyfriend, Arjun (Rajeev Siddhartha). This decision sets off a chain reaction, bringing to light a tangled web of secrets and lies.
The Unraveling of Ideals
The film’s exploration extends beyond the central couple, showcasing a disturbing array of inappropriate relationships, bravely highlighting the harsh realities of many Indian marriages. Whether it’s house helps being married off to abusive partners or aunts entangled in illicit affairs with married men, Love, Sitara paints a picture that’s both unsettling and unfortunately relatable. This portrayal of complex relationships isn’t merely for shock value; it’s a powerful commentary on societal norms and expectations.
A Satirical Look at Hypocrisy and Double Standards
Love, Sitara functions as a satirical commentary on the expectations and realities of love and marriage in modern India. The film excels at exposing the hypocrisy that pervades society where people openly condemn others for the very same behaviors they secretly engage in. The characters publicly preach morality while privately engaging in actions that contradict their stated beliefs. The film’s unflinching honesty in revealing these double standards isn’t always comfortable, but it’s undeniably effective in drawing out the tensions that underpin relationships. It is this raw honesty that makes the film’s message powerful and memorable.
Balancing Tradition and Modernity
One of the film’s greatest strengths lies in its attempt to create a balanced portrayal of traditionalism and modernity. It cleverly coexists, highlighting the awkwardness of navigating this paradoxical existence. Instead of taking a binary approach—condemning one or celebrating the other—the film acknowledges the inherent complexities of both. It questions the constraints of traditional marriage structures, while also refraining from simple endorsement of the modern hookup culture. This nuanced perspective adds significant depth to the narrative.
Performances and the Film’s Strengths
Sobhita Dhulipala delivers a solid performance as Tara, portraying a flawed and selfish woman who struggles with prioritization and self-awareness. While her character doesn’t elicit much sympathy, this deliberate choice serves the film’s purpose effectively. “**Tara isn’t written in a way that’ll move you or make you feel sorry for her and her self-invited troubles, but is a nice break from the stereotypical extremes of women represented on screen.**” The departure of this character from conventional portrayals adds to the film’s uniqueness.
However, the truly standout performances come from Rajeev Siddhartha as Arjun and Virginia Rodrigues. They bring a much-needed sense of calm and stability to the chaotic circumstances of the plot. Their nuanced acting in contrast to the around makes their characters significantly more relatable in midst of the chaos. “**Siddhartha’s cooking sequences are cathartic, and Rodrigues’ composure in how she handles things is a highlight.**” Their characters and abilities provide a much needed sense of normalcy and maturity.
Shortcomings and Missed Opportunities
Despite its strengths, Love, Sitara has some noticeable shortcomings. While it touches upon themes like hypocrisy, infidelity, and facades, it often doesn’t fully explore the impact of these elements on the characters and the story’s progression. While certain strong scenes exist (such as Rodrigues’ nervous breakdown), the film’s momentum often weakens. The seemingly superficial conversations can be underwhelming, creating a sense of forced laughter rather than genuine human interaction. The scenes lack the depth that is needed for the story to truly shine.
Underutilized Potential
Several characters and storylines feel underdeveloped. The addition of Arjun’s father (the retired military officer) seems more for the sake of adding another dysfunctional relationship, rather than contributing meaningfully to the plot. Conversely, certain characters possessing considerable potential are underutilized. For example, the grandmother (played by B Jayashree), a powerful character filled with life and personality, is relegated to the background without proper justification. “**She is unapologetically herself…but she soon takes a backseat unexpectedly; as if the director forgot about her.**” This inconsistency in character development disrupts the film’s flow and strength.
A Mixed Bag: Honest Attempt with Unfinished Edges
Love, Sitara is a decent attempt to explore familial dysfunction in Indian families, effectively contrasting traditional and modern relationships without favoring one over the other. It does a great job in portraying and highlighting the hypocrisy and double standard that is part of modern day culture. “**It’s a film that shows a mirror to the hypocritical standards of society, which bemoans the unstable, relationship-hopping culture of young people, and yet has been conveniently accommodating inappropriate relationships, if kept a secret.**” The film effectively underscores the way societal standards often allow for these double standards to flourish. It manages to critique certain aspects of traditional society as well.
However, the film’s inability to delve deeper into its subject matter hinders its impact. The film’s lack of a more decisive ending and resolution takes away from its potential. “**If only the film didn’t shy away from taking on its subject matter with a little more grit, it would have likely made it to the year’s favourites list of a lot of cinephiles, including me.**” The film remains a strong attempt at showcasing its story, but fails to fully realize its potential.
Ultimately, Love, Sitara is a film with a strong premise and some excellent performances, but it ultimately falls short of reaching its full potential due to inconsistent execution and underdeveloped elements. While it offers a refreshing perspective on relationships, it might leave some viewers wanting more depth and a stronger overall narrative. Despite its flaws, it remains a significant contribution within the realm of relationship portrayal, though it could have been even more meaningful with a more decisive execution.
Rating: 6/10
