Are you Parched !! Have you known what being Parched feels like !! Parched : Dehydration owing to scorching heat leading to state of extreme thirst
The movie with the name very aptly chosen takes us through the lives of three main protagonists: Rani, Bijli, Lajjo in a remote Rajasthani village. Rani married off on just attaining puberty had believed men to be the center of world. But, is dejected by the men in her life : firstly by her husband and then by her son. Both like the other menfolk go to a path of drunkenness and violent bouts to assert their masculinity. She rebukes her daughter in law for not being able to reign in her son. She says "Give pleasure to your man. What will you do by studying, become an big shot administrator.Forget it."
Lajjo, on the other hand extremely playful and full of life, has to deal with beatings from her husband. Constantly shamed in public and made to feel guilty for not bearing a child, she assigns herself to self deprecating humor. "What do these menfolk want !! Curvaceous derriere, plump bosoms, long dark free flowing hair, fair skin et al" (Literal descriptions of physical features arousing libido was discussed by the village ladies amidst ensuing laughter. The audience was in splits in acknowledgment)
Bijli true to her name is the wild child for whom all the village men swoons over privately but abhors publicly. Being able to have men raving about her gives her joy. It is at least better than descending into slow decadence within the narrow confines in meek submission.
The three of them meet frequently and find solace in shared sorrow about the men in their lives. Being more fearless among the trio, Bijli is fearless and comes as the harbinger of hope. When she tells Lajjo to get her husband checked, Lajjo's innocent surprise was priceless. She says "What are you saying, even men can flawed ?" Bijli also tells Rani to get her son Gulab under control. Rani, however is in denial mode and comes up with strong emotional outburst. These are the two singular acts that mark onset of a change in both Rani and Lajjo's world views.
The story then progresses along a coming of age curve. The three protagonist leave their previous lives with sea altering change in their "Weltanschauung". The shackles both illusory and real are shattered and out they head to cities, to a brave new world saying "We will manage somehow"
Certain instances in this remote village were indeed disturbing. Deflowering like a passage of rites is the onset of a highly abusive relationship. The women folk face it silently with the mother also coyly leaving her son to violate her new daughter in law.Whereas the men compelled by peer pressure brag about their male bravado.
Little bit of nudity and sex has been shown but it was beautifully interwoven into the movie never even bordering on voyeurism. On the contrary, could sense strong element of pathos as for the most part it was violence laden affair devoid of sensuality and consent. In this context, Lajjo's ecstatic astonishment and ensuing vignettes has been nicely portrayed.
With the ability to empathize, one should desist from the vulnerability to label all men as misogynistic in the wake of the movie. However, the movie does a good job of showing good men as well like Kishan who despite good intentions face a significant resistance in ushering change.
After a certain point, more than what happens to the movie protagonists, its the reality that hits you hard. I felt that there are numerous Rani, Bijli, Lajjo silently suffering out there in the numerous villages. And the vignettes of the bus ride with the folksy background score during the start and the end keeps playing vividly in front of you with the eerie reminder that life for them shall continue in silent resignation.
To surmise : The pathos lay in the realization that They shall remain "Parched" perched in their small worlds !!
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