It’s never too late to discuss a good film. Watched Satyaprem Ki Katha eleven days after its release and writing the review sixteen days after watching the film. I thought about it a lot. This film needs everyone’s attention.
(31'147 votes)A middle-class boy in Ahmedabad, Satyaprem falling in one-sided love with Katha, who is coping with her breakup with Tapan. Through the journey, they discover each other's life and complement in accomplishing what was left halfway.
Timely. Significant.
As a mature audience, we now have a better understanding of sensitive topics like rape and its various types when depicted on screen. However, when we watch movies that combine romance and comedy, we may not expect to encounter such serious themes. Nonetheless, it is essential to acknowledge that certain films, like Karthik Aaryan’s work during his collaboration with Luv Ranjan, manage to skillfully balance both elements. For instance, Akaash Vani, the titular narrative, fearlessly delves into a less discussed and taboo subject: Marital Rape.
Sameer Vidwans employs both the of K.As to unveil something which has never been brought into the Indian celluloid- the haunting reality of ‘acquaintance rape’ or ‘date rape’ in Satyaprem ki Katha. I don’t think the percentage would be greater than 10-15. Satyaprem ki Katha is that once-in-a-while romance drama which encompasses both its literal and metaphorical sense. The names translate into Honest (lover of truth) and Story respectively. Perhaps, read as A True Lovestory or the Story of a Truth-Lover if juxtaposed together in the title.
A Poignant Tale of Love
In a tale that intertwines the lives of two families, Satyaprem and Katha, the journey of marriage and love begins with an unexpected twist. Satyaprem, an unemployed and seemingly wayward youth, sets out on a quest to find a bride. Despite having only his father’s support, he is determined to win the heart of the woman he loves. Influenced by his dear father’s guidance, Satyaprem approaches Katha to express his feelings, but to his dismay, he witnesses her slipping away in an attempt to kill herself. Fate takes a turn as Satyaprem finds himself in a position to rescue Katha, and in doing so, he becomes her savior. Touched by his actions and the sincerity of his heart, Katha decides to give him a chance. Her father plays the right trick and inflicts emotional torment on Katha to get her married to Satyaprem.
Satyaprem is getting what he long desired. Sorry, it’s not that simple. Although they get married to each other Katha plays with excuses not to let Satyaprem come closer. Nights passed. Time came, triggered by his family Satyaprem starightaway goes to his partner to confront the real reason. Katha clarifies that she cannot get sexually involved with him because she is ‘asexual’. Sad. However, the fumed husband goes to his father-in-law and is suggested by him to take the first step as a friend. The story continues to ‘become’ a love story.
Soul of the Narrative
The heart of the story lies in the midst of comedy-romance and drama, where Katha, of her own volition, decides to spend the night with Satyaprem. However, the intimacy unravels a horrifying reality as past trauma grips her body and mind, causing her to relive the traumatic memories of her rape by her ex-boyfriend.
Experiencing the horrors of rape, an unwanted pregnancy, and the decision to undergo an abortion can inflict deep emotional wounds on a person, leading to a prolonged period of depression and even suicidal thoughts. These traumatic events are interconnected, and the victim may suffer from Rape Trauma Syndrome (RTS). The revelation of the truth to the family brings a critical moment, where the husband and in-laws’ response becomes a powerful message. Their sensitive and commendable handling of their beloved Bohu (daughter-in-law) sets an example for all.
The Flaw in the Flow
The comedy elements in Satyaprem ki Katha resonate well with Gen-Z, given the age of social media. However, the handling of the sensitive issue of rape could have been more effective and less problematic in the Bollywood style of storytelling. The climax feels unnecessarily stretched, and the inclusion of songs seems superfluous and unessential to the film’s narrative. Despite these shortcomings, I remain optimistic that Indian cinema will continue to produce more thought-provoking films like this, fearlessly exploring rarely-talked-about social issues.
