When Sandhya married Astik, she put her career and MA in English on hold to become a housewife to her husband’s large family. Astik, on the other hand, left his girlfriend to marry Sandhya, a woman he barely knew. Their marriage was a result of familial expectations, and they realised they were incompatible. They didn't communicate well, and there was no love blossoming between them.

Suddenly, Astik passes away, bringing themes of death, grief, and moving on to the forefront of ‘Pagglait’. The film explores these themes with a mix of humour and heartbreak. As Sandhya tries to understand the man she married, she—and by extension, the audience—uncover the mystery of Astik’s life. We learn about him just as Sandhya does—through bits and pieces. Despite the initial challenges, this journey gives Sandhya the courage to start afresh, embracing a new life and a new chapter in her story.

The movie begins with Astik’s family mourning him and preparing for his funeral rites. This aspect of the movie possibly shines the most, depicting the complex experiences of grief. As the story unfolds, Astik’s father Shivendra (played by Aashutosh Rana), mother Usha (played by Sheeba Chaddha), and brother Alok (played by Chetan Sharma) cope with their loss in different ways.

While Shivendra and Usha struggle with the shock of their son’s untimely death and the financial burdens it brings, Alok channels his anger and frustration at his brother’s departure into the funeral rituals. Meanwhile, Sandhya feels no genuine sorrow for her late husband. It’s understandable, given that their connection was limited to the rituals of an arranged marriage, devoid of any emotional depth.

We see Sandhya break traditions left, right and centre by indulging in foods like chips, Pepsi and golgappa, despite cultural practices prohibiting any salty, savoury food. The contrast between her enjoying golgappa and Alok and Shivendra spreading Astik’s ashes in Ganga highlights the vast emotional gap between Sandhya and Astik, creating a comedic tone in the film.

The commentary on the restrictive traditions extends beyond the funeral customs. Aakansha (played by Sayani Gupta), Astik’s ex-girlfriend, enters the scene. Aakansha, independent and employed, mourns Astik deeply. Sandhya, initially intimidated and jealous of Aakansha’s role in Astik’s life, befriends her to uncover the facets of Astik’s personality that she never knew. This interaction adds depth to the narrative, exploring the different layers of Astik’s life and relationships.

Malhotra's portrayal of Sandhya's friendship with Akansha is marked by curiosity and yearning. Sandhya feels a genuine connection with Akansha, but she resents the romantic relationship Akansha shared with Astik—a side of him he never revealed to Sandhya. Finding solace and understanding in her friendship with Akansha, Sandhya also yearns for the independent life Akansha leads. Her eyes sparkle with admiration when she visits Akansha's office, revealing her deep desire for the same freedom and career independence.

Sandhya, with her candidness and rejection of societal norms, is more than just a vessel for social commentary. She is a complex individual with dreams and aspirations. Despite her resentment towards her family for arranging her marriage, she genuinely loves her in-laws. Sandhya longs for romantic love, believing that love and independence can coexist if circumstances allow. She makes mistakes and experiences anger and heartbreak, especially when she confronts Akansha for her role in Astik’s inability to love her. Yet, even in the end, she retains her confidence and sensitivity, embracing her true self as she embarks on a new chapter in her life.

Gupta portrays Akansha’s heartbreak and grief with the delicacy and nuance demanded by the script. Initially, when Sandhya discovers a photo of Akansha in Astik’s closet, betrayal seems inevitable. However, this assumption is dispelled when we learn that Akansha is sweet and genuine, and there is no overlap between her and Sandhya. In a short span of time, Akansha’s character is fully developed, moving beyond the surface-level portrayal of a typical ‘other woman’ that films often force upon audiences.

Instead, the contrast between Sandhya and Akansha highlights the insincere mourning of the finicky relatives gathered at their homes to pay their respects to Astik. While Astik’s relatives engage in insensitive arguments when Shivendra and Usha need support, Sandhya and Akansha find comfort in each other despite their differences. Sandhya, despite going through the motions of marriage and funeral rituals, struggles to feel genuine emotions for Astik. However, as she gradually learns about him through Akansha's stories, she finally cries and mourns the love that they could have shared if they had more time, underscoring the complexity of the grieving process.

In contrast to the first half, the second part of the movie introduces several subplots. While the initial half may seem uneventful, the screenplay effectively portrays the slow process of grief and darkness that follows the death of a loved one. The second half, though, introduces too many subplots, which may feel somewhat forced for the sake of drama, possibly due to the slower pace of the first half. Nevertheless, ‘Pagglait’ is a sensitive and realistically portrayed film about grief, making it a worthwhile watch.

Pagglait

Director: Umesh Bist

Cast: Sanya Malhotra, Aashutosh Rana, Sheeba Chaddha, Sayani Gupta

Duration: 1 hour 55 minutes

Year: 2021

Language: Hindi

Available on: Netflix