From the dark to the dawn

  A few weeks ago, I came across a video post on twitter that left me puzzled, not because of what people were arguing about, but because of how differently they seemed to apply the same standards. In that post, Kangana Ranaut was criticized by many for wearing an off-shoulder gown while receiving a National Award for Tanu Weds Manu Returns . Whether one liked the outfit or not, the criticism was familiar: a National Award ceremony is a prestigious occasion, a formal state event, and therefore deserving of a certain decorum. In the same post, Actress Kriti Sanon was widely praised for wearing a beautiful saree while receiving her own National Award years later. Her choice, seeing it as elegant, graceful, and appropriate for the occasion was widely appreciated. So far, so good. But then came a Raksha Bandhan advertisement in which the same actress celebrated the festival wearing an outfit that revealed far more skin than the gown for which Kangana was criticized in that video post. ...

There is a woman who is a successful actress who pursues a man who was kind to her even before she made her big break. But it seems she is afraid of being happy! There is a man who is honest, highly skilled, and clearly interested in her (though he constantly confuses, denies, or refuses to acknowledge those feelings) since their very first meeting. There is feisty chemistry between them. Sparks fly in almost every interaction. Yet strangely, there is very little actual romance - only drama. The result is a story that feels disconnected from what it initially promises. The biggest issue lies in the storytelling. The female lead's character arc takes an abrupt turn. What begins as a light-hearted romantic comedy with hints of a love triangle suddenly shifts into something much darker . Without enough preparation for the audience, her struggles evolve from occasional hallucinations into alter-ego personality. The transition is so sudden that it leaves the viewer baffled. One moment ...