Parched

There is only one thing that makes a woman glow, even amid the vibrant colors, sparkling jewelry, moonlight swims, romances, comfort of friends, wind in her hair and lights of a fair at night. It has to do with her repressed dreams. In a desert landscape where the status quo vastly favors men, she thirsts in more ways than one. Everyone, men and women, are in a hurry to grow and glow, yet they often fail to be human first. A single mom, abused wife, erotic dancer, child-bride and newly arrived immigrant attempt to rise above their fears and kindle joy in their lives.

Academy Award winning cinematographer Russell Carpenter (Titanic) brings beautiful images to bear in support of the characters and their poignant stories. The remarkable stories of common women take the spotlight. While the stories are pieced together a little awkwardly and the acting is a bit shaky, the stories of these fascinating women are wonderful to witness. They are not predictable. Each is enthralling. Seen at the 2016 Miami International Film Festival.

There comes a time in life when you stuck up in a wrong place and feel suffocated. You feel like breaking the barrier and seek freedom as you have one life to live and it is you who can take the control of your destiny. Who do you listen to you – Brain or Heart ?

Parched (extremely thirsty) tells the story of three women in the rural village of Rajasthan – Rani (played by Tannishtha Chatterjee), a 32 year old widower, who is under the burden of home loan she took to marry off her son, Lajjo (played by Radhika Apte) who is beaten up mercilessly by her husband as she cannot conceive and Bijli (played by Surveen Chawla) who is a dancer and prostitute but has her own share of glitch by men in her life.

It is a good comeback for the director Leena Yadav, who gave couple of flops in form "Shabd" and "Teen Patti". The subject of "Parched" is definitely bold with nude scenes, abusive language and violence but I guess she was trying to make it more real. The highlight of "Parched" is defining each female protagonist character appropriately, the issue of women equality still existing in the Northern part of India and how these central characters overcoming the challenges to live their own life. Hats off to Leena Yadav for a fantastic effort and keeping the audience on their toes. Screenplay is crispy with beautiful cinematography capturing the princely state of Rajasthan. Art direction is outstanding along with nice background score. Full marks to the editor for completing the drama within two hours. On the flip side, the second half loses the grip to some extent but the climax showing the dusshera scene shot simultaneously with Lajjo's husband burning in fire is brilliant. I loved the scene where Surveen Chawla vents out her anger that why all the abuses ends with a female f..k but why can't it be male f..k.

"Parched" belongs to queens of desert – Tannishtha Chatterjee, Radhika Apte and Surveen Chawla. Tannishtha Chatterjee plays a sensible and matured widow character with aplomb. The brilliant actress has been in town for some time and this film will be an icing on cake for her. Radhika Apte is just growing well with each film. This will be her second brilliant performance this year after spellbinding act in "Phobia". I was completely taken aback with Surveen Chawla's performance. The gorgeous actress is mean, straight-forwarded but extremely compassionate for her friends. Watch for her as she has the perfect looks and talent to carry it forward. Rest of the star cast did justice to their role.

On the whole, "Parched" is electrifying and enigmatic. Another beautiful tale of women empowerment and equality after last week's "Pink".

PARCHED REVIEW - I was never interested to watch this film, in fact i never heard about this Film before but suddenly some leak news made waves on social media and i had to download film and watch. And now after watching it i'm speechless, i don't have words to appreciate Film but still i am going to write few words so that Real Cinema Lovers won't miss a gem.

Acting - Powerpacked ! The film looks so realistic and its characters looks so real that we actually feel their Pain, Happiness and everything. Surely Best Performance of all Actresses in Film especially Radhika Apte shows her Standard actually raises it and Surween Chawla shines in Bindass Attitude.

Screenplay - Marvellous ! It never looked stretched or bored despite being Realistic and Social msg film. Some crispy and vulgar scenes to entertain masses are also there. Classes have everything to taste.

Music - Not Impressive ! But Background Score definitely works as shiner for some Serious and Meaningful scenes.

Dialogues - Hilarious ! Few will make you laugh, few will make you think and some might harass you due to its Vulgarity.

Cinematography - Fantastic ! We see Completely Realistic and real Village in Film and credit goes to Cinematographer. Even some scenes which have not been shot in Village/Set (Caves/Sand) looks Real and are eye pleasing.

Direction - Speechless ! Yes you read it right, i don't know who was Leena Yadav but now i will remember this name forever just because of this 1 Masterpiece. Direction is Highly Realistic so does its Vulgar so you have to prepare yourself to watch this Film not as a Regular Bollywood Film but as a Highly Realistic Art Cinema. Full Marks to Director and 1 Salute from me.

Final Words - Almost a Masterpiece ! Hats Off, Kudos and Salute to makers for making a Film like Parched in India. You need guts to make Art Film in Bollywood which is actually surviving on Useless Commercial Masala Entertainers but Ajay Devgn had guts and he tried it and he Won it. I watched Unrated Version so you might miss some Vulgar and Sex scenes due to Censore Cuts. Few changes would have made this Film a Masterpiece but i think it fell short and became a Classic. Quality Cinema Lovers should not miss Parched at any cost. I'm going with 8/10 Stars, Go for it to have some memorable and Realistic Cinematic Experience.

Watched it last night @ sathyam cinemas. Wonderful movie with excellent acting and with a deep social care. This movie showcased every possible ways women are been dominated, not given any chance, importance women education in a most powerful way.

Great acting, music and background score was good and deeply sink with the movie. Technically brilliant...

But, these movies (I can compare this movie with visarani - Tamil movie base on a social message) failed to educate its audience and make them known about if any possibilities out there to fight against it. It's simply just like placing a hidden camera within someone's home and capturing all anti-social elements and visualizing it to audience. Its more likely an evidence of a crime happening right away. What to do with it??

Can it be played in a court and claim for a change in law or ask to make new laws? nothing...

It just makes audience to feel sorry for the women & street boys (in visarani).

Overall a good and a must watch. This movie will definitely make a good impact in Indian cinema.

It's a slow burn as a film. And then without you realising it the film has suddenly entered your heart. And makes its place there. Moments in each woman's story are suddenly so evocative. And moments between them as women. So much woman power. Beautifully shot. Beautifully enacted. Beautifully directed.