Netflix’s Do Patti: A Powerful but Flawed Exploration of Domestic Violence and Trauma. While boasting stellar performances and a compelling portrayal of critical social issues, the film unfortunately stumbles due to a disjointed plot and reliance on harmful stereotypes, leaving its potential unrealized. This review will delve into both the strengths and weaknesses of Do Patti, examining its nuanced depiction of domestic abuse alongside its shortcomings in narrative coherence and character development.
A Troubled Marriage and a Paragliding Accident
The film opens with a heart-stopping paragliding accident involving Saumya (Kriti Sanon) and her husband, Dhruv (Shaheer Sheikh). Saumya’s accusation that Dhruv sabotaged her harness throws us into a flashback, revealing a disturbing pattern of domestic abuse. Dhruv, a man who publicly champions feminism while privately inflicting brutal violence on his wife, represents a chillingly realistic portrayal of the insidious nature of patriarchal misogyny. His actions are not simply isolated incidents; they are part of a systematic pattern of control and subjugation. The initial scene effectively sets the stage for a disturbing, yet crucial exploration of domestic violence.
The Complexities of Trauma and Abuse
Saumya’s pre-existing anxieties and depression, stemming from the loss of her parents and a strained relationship with her alcoholic caretaker, are portrayed with a degree of sensitivity. Her trauma acts as a significant backdrop to her relationship with Dhruv, revealing how prior experiences can exacerbate the impact of abuse. The film accurately depicts how abusers prey on vulnerabilities, and Dhruv’s actions are shown to systematically erode Saumya’s self-worth and agency.
Narrative Flaws and Inconsistent Tone
Despite its powerful subject matter, Do Patti suffers from a significant structural flaw: an inconsistent narrative. The plot feels disjointed, jumping between flashbacks and the present with jarring shifts in tone. While certain scenes are intensely gripping, others feel like unnecessary filler, disrupting the overall momentum. A suspense thriller requires meticulous pacing and a tight grip on the viewer’s attention; this film unfortunately fails to consistently deliver this. The inclusion of seemingly random scenes hinders the suspense and weakens the impact of the core story.
The Underutilized Potential of Kajol’s Character
The introduction of Inspector Vidya Jyothi (Kajol), an idealistic police officer, further contributes to the film’s pacing issues. A significant portion of the runtime is dedicated to establishing VJ’s character, but this development feels disproportionate to her overall role in the narrative. Her portrayal, marked by a stereotypical "hinterland" accent that lacks authenticity, comes across as a lazy caricature. Despite Kajol’s commendable performance attempting to breathe life into a poorly written character, the script underutilizes her talent, leaving her storyline feeling extended and inconsequential in several parts.
Regressive Stereotypes and Problematic Gender Roles
Do Patti, regrettably, falls into the trap of relying on regressive gender stereotypes, particularly in its depiction of Saumya’s twin sister, Shailee. Shailee’s representation as a "loose woman" based solely on aspects like her clothing choices, drinking habits, and social activities exemplifies the continued pervasive use of harmful tropes. This reinforces outdated and damaging notions about female sexuality and morality. While the intent behind Shailee’s character may have been antagonistic, the execution falls short, resulting in a one-dimensional portrayal that reinforces problematic narrative patterns. The film missed an opportunity to provide a nuanced portrayal of female characters existing beyond these restrictive definitions and should be more considered in future productions. This reliance on stereotypes detracts substantially from the film’s overall impact and undermines its efforts to showcase the complexities of social issues, specifically within the framework of storytelling. While presenting a story around potentially harmful or stereotypical representations is certainly a valid use of the medium, the film could have handled the narrative more sensitively so that it did not reinforce the same damaging behaviors. This criticism should not be taken as a dismissal of the attempts made by the creatives involved.
Powerful Depictions of Abuse and Trauma
Despite its flaws, Do Patti successfully portrays the brutality and psychological impact of domestic violence. The scene depicting Dhruv’s assault on Saumya is particularly visceral and disturbing. The graphic nature of the scene although potentially triggering for viewers, is effective in showcasing the reality of domestic abuse; it is not sugarcoated or minimized. While such scenes may be difficult to watch, their presence underscores the importance of highlighting the severity of this pervasive problem. It’s done in such a way, however, that viewers are exposed to the reality of this problem, allowing for greater emotional impact if handled correctly.
Nuances of Human Behavior
The performances also contribute to the impact of this narrative. Sanon shines in her portrayal of both Saumya and Shailee, bringing nuance and depth to characters who could easily have been reduced to archetypes. A particularly powerful scene portrays Saumya’s struggle with acrophobia (fear of heights) during a paragliding session while simultaneously processing the grief of losing her mother. This moment subtly demonstrates the latent potential of suppressed traumas to resurface unexpectedly, even during seemingly mundane events. This demonstrates a depth of emotional range missing entirely from other elements.
Conclusion: A Promising Attempt With Significant Limitations
Do Patti is a film of contrasts. It presents a powerful indictment of domestic violence and its lingering effects while also succumbing to predictable narrative pitfalls and harmful stereotypes. The uneven pacing and underutilized potential of certain characters ultimately hinder the film’s overall impact. While the performances, particularly from Kriti Sanon, are truly exceptional and the portrayal of the core issue is handled with great depth, the film’s structural and narrative shortcomings prevent it from reaching its full potential; it provides insight into a rarely seen and devastating behavior, but it still needs additional work to become truly great. The film’s impact is diminished despite its noble attempts. While the messaging and intent are admirable, the execution needs more thoughtful consideration and a cohesive plot structure to truly resonate with a wider audience which is more critically-minded in the present day. While it effectively highlights the importance of addressing domestic violence, childhood trauma, and other deeply rooted societal problems, the filmmakers should have made some important editing and narrative choices to fully maximize their intended effect.
