In recent years, Bollywood has ventured into storytelling that delves into the complexities of women's lives.
"Sukhee," directed by Sonal Joshi, enters this narrative landscape with a premise that revolves around a common trope: the bored housewife.
The film introduces us to the titular character, Sukhpreet, who has been married for two decades, living in a small town, and dealing with a disgruntled husband and a difficult teenage daughter.
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When news of an upcoming high school reunion surfaces, a video from Sukhee's student days reemerges on social media, showcasing her transformation into the very type of woman she swore never to become.
In the video, Sukhee and her trio of friends boldly declared themselves "always wild never mild," with a motto of "Bedhadak, Besharam, Beparwah" (Fearless, Shameless, Carefree). They vowed never to be domesticated, yet the film presents Sukhee as a submissive homemaker who caters to her husband Guru (Chaitanya Choudhry) and daughter Jassi (Nitanshi Goel) with meek obedience.
The film struggles to convincingly establish how this spirited woman turned into a submissive housewife, why she has no friends after two decades in a small Punjab town, and why she never pursued a career or maintained contact with her old friends.
The film's narrative is further derailed by a forced and unnecessary estrangement from Sukhee's parents and an implausible depiction of her husband's transition into a tyrannical figure.
Sukhee's constant state of harried domesticity is also used to explain the absence of domestic help.
Shilpa Shetty, in the role of Sukhee, appears flawless with perfect skin, a slim figure, and glossy hair. Despite her beauty, Shetty's performance lacks the depth to make Sukhee a sympathetic character on par with iconic female leads from similar films like Sridevi in "English Vinglish" or Vidya Balan in "Tumhari Sulu."
The film's plot, centred on female empowerment, could have benefitted from humor and more exploration of the lives of Sukhee's three friends, each with their own set of intriguing experiences.
While "Sukhee" acknowledges that men can also feel trapped in traditional roles, it fails to provide sufficient character development or humour to elevate the narrative beyond a paint-by-numbers portrayal of female empowerment.
In the post-COVID era, the film's depiction of Guru's cluelessness about domestic responsibilities feels outdated. However, it does attempt to highlight that men, too, can find themselves ensnared in conventional roles.
Ultimately, "Sukhee" is weighed down by its lack of subtlety and struggles to deliver a compelling narrative that genuinely explores the challenges women face in stifling their aspirations.
