Review : Lakeerein focuses on societal norms and boundaries!
In a male dominated society, there always had been atrocities meted out to women. But about a couple of decades ago, the issue of women empowerment has gained importance and women can now voice out their grievances without fear. In IPC, in marriage a sexual act without the consent of a female below the age of 18 years is a punishable crime. But the similar provision is not available for the women above 18 years. And the movie Lakeerein starts the conversation around the same subject where if the sexual act is performed without the consent of a wife above 18 should also be considered a crime. In Indian society the wife is supposed to consider her husband a ‘God’. But that thing prevailed in earlier times. Today there’s a lot being done for women’s rights and equality which has resulted in increase in number of divorces. If a husband forces his wife for sexual gratification, then is it a marital rape? This question has been addressed in the the film Lakeerein.
Kavya (Tia Bajpai) is married to a Professor Vivek Agnihotri (Gaurav Chopra). He is dominating in nature and Kavya takes these things in her stride. But after a few months into the marriage she feels trapped and when he continuously tries to force her into sexual act she decides to revolt. She files a marital rape case through her lawyer Geeta Biswas (Bidita Bag) and the husband is represented by an eminent lawyer Dudhari Singh (Ashutosh Rana). In a fiercely fought court case the film covers merits and demerits of the case. What transpires later forms the crux of the story.
Lakeerein talks about the harrowing crime of marital rape. It starts the conversation about the consensual sexual act even in marriage. The film’s arguments are not lopsided and points are raised in favour of males too. The director Durgesh Pathak has handled this subject sensitively. He draws attention to the invisible ‘lines’ of demarcation. But he should have paid attention to the pace of the movie because at times it drags at certain places. Music is passable and production values are good. Tia Bajpai delivers a restrained performance. Gaurav Chopra shows his acting range while playing two pronged character. Bidita Bag infuses energy in her character and performs well. Ashutosh Rana adds punch to his character with his prowess over the Hindi language. Others lend good support.
Lakeerein is successful in starting conversation around ‘marital rape’.
***
Keerti Kadam
