This working-class heroine’s story hits the right places

Director: Alankrita Shrivastava

There’s a nostalgic feel to the title of the new Netflix movie Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare from director Alankrita Shrivastava (Lipstick Under My Burkha, Made In Heaven). It gives an idea of ​​those times when moving to big cities was the only way to survive and live a comparatively dignified life, especially in the heart of Hindi. It reminds you of many fantastic stories from contemporary Hindi literature. There’s a distinctive flair that takes us back to an era when upward economic mobility made much more sense for the middle class. In short, the highest score to the title for evoking the right emotions.

Ms. Yadav, also known as Dolly (Konkona Sensharma), is a smart street worker who fights on many fronts with a smiling face, but her prejudices and prejudices continue to show their toughness. But there is an understanding between Shrivastava and Sensharma that this cannot be pointed out as a fault of Ms Yadav. She is conflicted, aspirational and yet very understanding.

She gives off a very ‘guardian’ vibe, but there is something about her personality that continues to hint at her fighting character, it’s probably something that drives her towards a more just environment. Otherwise, too, if Sensharma plays a docile character, most of the time we know that there is a strategic silence and that it will explode when the time comes. What an axis for a story that needed her guidance to continue with a certain sparkle in her eyes!

We are introduced to Ms. Yadav when her cousin Kitty (Bhumi Pednekar) arrives at her home in Noida from Darbhanga, Bihar, in search of a better life. She is vocal and lively in the way that only small town girls can be. Those who are born with nothing more than to point to the sky. No power can push them into oblivion. They always overcome obstacles. Pednekar’s background has helped her project the right image. Also, she is very restrained and gives co-actors ample space even during intense scenes, and that brings her development as an actress. A worthy companion for Sensharma.

Then there are the typical male characters found in Shrivastava’s projects that would turn into a darker world despite their innocent faces. It’s hard to imagine a sweet-faced Vikrant Massey in such a gray space!

In between, the director slides into her politics too, but to be honest, that seems blunt and hinders the flow of an otherwise very timely narrative. It probably would have worked better if it was just Dolly and Kitty without much political meddling. It could have looked better on paper, but on screen, it’s a snag that makes the movie look like two separate stories packed into one.

Read: Sadak 2 Movie Review

Read: Class of ’83 Movie Review

However, in tone and texture, Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare has hit the mark. Her intention to be the story of a working-class heroine is pretty self-evident and has nice dimensions too, but there are too many subplots for a 124-minute movie.

If we don’t get into the picky eaters, Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare is a fitting film that offers a good perspective on current debates about feminism.

Before closing, a salute to Aamir Bashir, whose special treatment of an ordinary character has won me once again.

Rating: 3/5