Watch Pagglait

Pagglait is a heartwarming drama film that revolves around the life of a newly-widowed woman Sandhya, played by Sanya Malhotra. The movie showcases the societal and emotional struggles faced by Sandhya as she confronts the loss of her husband after just five months of marriage. The story begins with the death of Sandhya's husband, Astik. Her family and in-laws inundate her with condolences and irrational expectations of a widow. They expect her to be grief-stricken and hysterical, but Sandhya finds herself in a state of perplexed calmness. She chooses to stay back in her husband's house and take care of her own affairs. Her detachment towards her deceased husband and the mourning traditions of her relatives create tension in her relationships.

As Sandhya begins to examine her own desires and starts to question her own beliefs, her in-laws begin to realise that she is not the customary grieving widow. Her mother-in-law tries to impose her opinions on Sandhya and her father-in-law has a hidden agenda. Moreover, she learns some unpleasant truth about her husband's life which leaves her shattered. Sandhya starts to talk to her new house help, the spirited Lipakshi, played by Sayani Gupta, who helps bring out the flip side of Sandhya. As she opens up and gets vulnerable, she is able to heal and pit the pieces back together.

The film depicts a story of personal liberation and development; something that makes it stand out in the Indian film industry, where widowhood is typically shown either as a temporary phase or a life of perpetual deprivation. The movie breaks stereotypes and present the audiences with an entirely new perspective on coping with grief.

The performance by Sanya Malhotra is outstanding, and she holds the movie firmly with her excellent portrayal of the character. Sayani Gupta's gregariousness brings much-needed light to the tragic story. The portrayal of Sandhya's father-in-law, played by Ashutosh Rana, is astounding, and his character's intricacies are commendable.

The screenwriter Umesh Bist, who has directed and written the movie, has nailed the plot with a thoughtful and respectful representation of grief without sugarcoating or overdramatizing it. He has created a story that is sensitive, genuine and relatable.

The director keeps the pace of the film moderate, and the cinematography perfectly captures the events, capturing Sandhya's various moods through the changing colours of light. The camera works are also impressively executed, aptly allowing the audience to witness the nuances of the actors.

The music in the film, composed by Arijit Singh, creates a soothing and touching environment that amplifies the movie's emotions. Each song compliments the script tremendously.

Overall, Pagglait is a brilliantly executed film that sheds light on the agony endured by Sandhya and insightfully draws attention to the Indian societal pressures and gender bias surrounding widowhood. It is a movie that will make you laugh, cry and reflect, all while leaving you with a sense of hope and fulfilment. The performances of cast combined with the genius of the director and writer make this film a must-watch.

Pagglait is a 2021 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 55 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.