“Monsoon Wedding” is a highly praised, great Indian drama and a brilliant women-centric movie by female director Mira Nair that’s still as relevant today as it was when it released in 2001. This is due to its courage in bringing to the fore the issues that are often swept deep under the carpet, such as sexual abuse within the family, and also for highlighting the importance of women having a say in their own lives as well as choice when it comes to matters of the heart.
The film opens on a father, Lalit Verma (Nasserudin Shah) anxiously and meticulously planning and putting together his daughter’s big day—her arranged marriage to a suitor of the family’s choice. Like all Indian weddings, this one too will be a gigantic affair. However, unbeknownst to Lalít, she is continuing an affair of her own with a married man at work. We are also introduced to her cousin, who is a spinster and who is often passive-aggressive. However, the reasons behind her staying single are all connected to her horrendous brush with sexual abuse during her childhood; and as the movie progresses, it is revealed that her abuser is none other than a close family member. And now it is up to her to rescue a young female relative from these same clutches without ‘harshing the mellow’ of everyone during the wedding ceremony or by bringing shame to the family by being the whistle blower.
Although this movie centres around the big Indian wedding and has romantic subplots revolving around blossoming love stories between other characters, it doesn’t just stick to portraying a clichéd sickly sweet love story. Instead it portrays the bitter sweet side as well as toxic and twisted side of not only romantic and sexual relationships, but also familial relationships. It projects a reality that many Indians prefer to keep hidden or don’t bring up out of fear and brings to the fore the topics which are considered taboo in Indian society—One such example being an independent woman choosing to remain single, which is often looked down upon.
The movie has many truly iconic scenes which stay with you, such as the family trying to shield the abuser (as he is part of the family) and labeling the victim as a slut, attributing her accusations to her unmarried status and shaming her for ‘venting out her repressed sexual frustration’ by making such ‘false accusations.’ It weaves a tale that is a rollercoaster ride of emotions and also is relatable for many Indians who’ve gone through similar problematic and jarring scenarios. Most of characters are from a rich, NRI household; and a tale of a family made up of varying generations which is brought together and simultaneously torn apart by the secrets which come gushing out in a tumultuous manner one by one on that fateful D-Day.
A scene from the Indian drama “Monsoon Wedding” (IFC Productions, 2001).
The cast does a terrific job in enacting a very well put together screenplay by Sabrina Dhawan, especially Shefali Shah who is remarkable as Ria, the cousin who is sexually abused and then put down through no fault of hers. Her performance brought tears to my eyes; and I couldn’t help applaud her brave and endearing character who is a protective mamma bear who won’t let anyone else in her family undergo the abuse and emotional distress she’s been put through and stands her ground. Vasundhara Das emotes very well with her eyes alone turns in a versatile performance as the young lady who is forced to choose between a committed relationship with a man who was chosen for her by her parents, and her choice of a forbidden, possibly fruitless romance with a man older than her who can pleasure her like no other.
Naseerudin Shah and Lillette Dubey are impeccable as parents who strive to give their daughter a memorable experience, but at the same time fail to take her choice and emotions into consideration. Randeep Hooda as Rahul, the NRI with an Aussie accent (a character whom I felt bad for as he is constantly put down for his Westernised qualities), in his debut as an actor turns in a fine performance and shows glimpses of the versatile performer he will ultimately grow into. The supporting actors, such as Vijay Raaz as Dubey the wedding planner and Tillotoma Shoma as Alice, lend ample support and I loved that almost all the characters in this movie had a part to play or a subplot which tied in with the climax so none of them felt underutilized. Soni Razdan is also a delight to watch as one of the bubblier relatives who doubles as the voice of reason, and Rajat Kapoor turns in such a truly sinister performance that I was left reeling and aghast by his character’s actions long after the movie was over.
“Monsoon Wedding” acts like a mirror, showcasing the perfections as well as imperfections which are present in every human and eventually manifest themselves—even when we try our hardest to keep them repressed or keep them hidden from others and from ourselves. But even more so, it highlights the many facets of a woman—her ability to be strong, independent, kind, fierce, fearless…and entirely human. Instead of merely suppressing her, one must keep in mind her choices and feelings as well without being selfish. It is a great look at the ‘modern woman’ through a female perspective or a female gaze.
All in all, this is one monsoon wedding you do not wanna miss out on!
