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Laapataa Ladies Movie Review

Laapataa Ladies is a 2024 Indian Hindi-language comedy drama film directed by Kiran Rao and starring Nitanshi Goel and Pratibha Ranta. It’s a very good movie.

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“Being happy on your own is the toughest thing, Phool.

But, yes, once you master it, no one can bother you“

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Due to a twist in events, two newly wedded brides inadvertently get exchanged. Both women go through a rollercoaster of comical misadventures because of this. This movie is a comedy done in the manner of situational comedies from the past. This made it very much a product of the past for Western audiences in particular, but also one that is very timely and resonant in its exploration of issues that plague Indian society, especially as it regards the roles of women.

Not the entirety of this movie is handled in a particularly subtle way, but for the most part the film got the best out of its concept by using it as a springboard for exploring these hard truths, in particular focusing on misogyny and what women go through when they are to be married. There is a very comical, but ultimately touching portrayal of women’s marriage attire in India and how it prevents people from even recognizing her.

Laapataa Ladies explored that oppression so well while also being quite comedic and funny throughout, especially in the first half as the second half is decidedly darker and more dramatic, but also more inspiring. The movie is tonally uneven as a result, but for the most part I was digging what the filmmaker was going for.

Nitanshi Goel and Pratibha Ranta both delivered stellar work in the two main roles. These women go through a lot and the movie was genuinely inspiring toward the end in empowering its protagonists. This empowerment is achieved through both amusing and affirming situations that for the most part were quite engaging, though the second half of the movie was slower and it felt lengthier. Chhaya Kadam is the acting standout as the most interesting character of the bunch. She stole all of her scenes.

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The movie could and should have been funnier as only the first act was very entertaining and witty. The soundtrack is quite fun, but the score was the highlight as it was fittingly silly and jovial in tone. The directing was quite strong and so was the cinematography, but I wished for stronger pacing and better characterization overall.