“Love, Sitara” begins with a nod to the immortal words of Leo Tolstoy from “Anna Karenina”: “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way,” declares Sitara (Sobhita Dhulipala) in the opening scene. While the writing in Vandana Kataria’s latest film doesn’t quite reach the quotable heights of Tolstoy’s novel, it strives earnestly. Abbas and Hussain Dalal’s dialogue is peppered with self-help maxims: “Happiness lies in honesty.” “Dysfunction means they are making an effort.” “I’ll fix myself, before I can fix my relationships.”
The story revolves around Sitara, also known as Tara, and Arjun (Rajeev Siddhartha), who have been navigating a turbulent relationship for several years. The duo represents the urban, ambitious elite—Tara is a celebrated interior designer, while Arjun is a chef who has just secured a position in Singapore. The plot thickens when Tara discovers she is unexpectedly pregnant. She keeps this revelation from Arjun while simultaneously offering him her hand in marriage. The two families soon convene in Kerala at the home of Tara’s maternal grandmother, setting the stage for the upcoming nuptials amid traditional rituals and lighthearted comedy reminiscent of the film “2 States.”
The initial comedic elements are quickly overshadowed by the complexity of Tara’s emotional journey. A friend notes with surprise that it is out of character for Tara to embrace the idea of marriage so readily. We learn that Arjun had proposed to her three years earlier, a proposal she declined at the time. Her surprise pregnancy seems to pivot her stance on marriage, but the reasons remain murky as hidden truths and deceptions gradually come to light—including hints of a potential breakdown in her parent’s marriage. Tara’s predicament deepens, casting her into an introspective abyss as she grapples with the new dynamics in her relationship and her evolving understanding of love and commitment. The character’s struggle is reminiscent of Dhulipala’s portrayal of another Tara, a discerning wedding planner from the Prime Video series “Made in Heaven.
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Vandana Kataria, who previously explored the themes of bullying and toxic masculinity in her directorial debut “Noblemen” (2019), shifts her focus to the female experience in “Love, Sitara.” The film features strong performances, notably from Sonali Kulkarni in a key role within Sonia Bahl’s screenplay, and veteran theatre actor B. Jayashree, who portrays Tara’s endearingly quirky grandmother, Amumma. Despite its aspirations, the film does not match the psychological depth of Kataria’s earlier work. While it aims to depict genuine emotional messiness, it often appears restrained.
One of the film’s main shortcomings is the script, which frequently alternates between English and Hindi, with occasional Malayalam phrases. The dialogue, though sharp at times, tends to feel over-arranged, with characters delivering perfectly timed quips: “A mistake can wreck a thousand lives”; “hearts, like monuments, should be built of stone.” A significant emotional confrontation late in the film takes on the melodramatic tone of a TV soap opera, complete with dramatic thunderstorms and torrential rain. Additionally, the picturesque Kerala setting is not fully utilized to enhance the narrative, and some characters come across as caricatures, such as the chatty housemaid saddled with an alcoholic spouse.
A redeeming moment in the film arrives in the penultimate scene, where Tara and Arjun engage in a heated argument that feels authentic, reflecting the tribulations of a couple with a considerable history. If the shadow of Dhulipala’s role in “Made in Heaven” as Tara Khanna could be set aside, her performance in this film might be more appreciated independently. Ikhlaque Khan’s portrayal of Arjun’s father, a retired soldier fixated on patriotism and duty, stands out for its naturalistic touch. However, the standout character remains Tara’s best friend, Anjali (Tamara D’Souza), an award-winning photojournalist who captures human rights stories. Anjali’s presence adds depth and a touch of reality to the pre-wedding celebrations, as she documents the events with her camera, creating a compelling side narrative.
“Love, Sitara,” now streaming on ZEE5, offers an absorbing look at love, deception, and emotional complexity. Though it may not reach the same level of psychological exploration as Kataria’s previous work, it presents a nuanced narrative supported by strong performances, making it a notable entry in contemporary Hindi cinema.
Published – September 27, 2024, 12:32 pm IST
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