It could have easily been just another crime thriller. Yet, its proximity to the real malady that exists amongst a few men in society who treat women badly, makes Shuddhi a meaningful watch.
No, the appreciation for the film is not only because it talks about various serious issues surrounding women today, but also because of the commendable effort by the entire team to showcase something which needs to be dealt with immediately — safety of women.
The credit also goes to a brilliantly scripted story, which is mostly inspired by recent incidents that have shaken the nation, voicing apprehensions about the safety of women and how many are wrongly dealt a bad hand.
Have we failed as a society thank to a weak justice system? With innumerable loopholes that see criminals set free, Shuddhi aspires to purify this corrupt system.
The plot is simple but complex. It revolves around three women, who are fighting for a common cause. Running parallelly, one of the main protagonists, a US-based lady lands in Bengaluru, to seek revenge.
While the plot thickens, two journalists, Niveditha and Amrutha strive hard to create awareness against juvenile offenders who are convicted of rape while highlighting the Nirbhaya case.
On a mission, they micro-manage and mobilise their resources to create awareness against such offenders, and a need to change the law, which is currently letting culprits free with the simplest of punishments (taking their age into account).
With tools such as street plays, their aim is to turn this into a movement, arguing that the mindset of the juveniles should be the main consideration when one commits such heinous offences like rape, and not just the age factor.
While, the other brave lady is picking targets, one by one, the script also touches upon other crimes like the ATM attack incident. Lauren, the actress takes the story to another level as she justifies her character’s role in killing such men. The first half builds to a perfectly poised climax.
It is certainly not a movie that just sends a strong message, it becomes a part of the movement. So, be a part it, which might empower us better to protect the female gender.
Movie: Shuddhi
Director: Adarsh Eshwarappa
Cast: Lauren Spartano, Niveditha, Amrutha Karagada, Shashank Purushottam, Sidhartha Maadhyamika
Rating: ***1/2
