In a scene reminiscent of a film picnic, the dissatisfied husband, played by Bobby Deol, seeks a divorce from his strikingly beautiful wife, Priyanka Chopra. When asked the Hindi equivalent of ‘divorce,’ the answer is ‘talaq.’ However, the wife counters, explaining that ‘talaq’ is an Urdu word and that the concept of divorce is foreign to their culture. Despite potential disagreements with the film’s perspective, Priyanka Chopra captivates with her ability to portray a range of emotions, making her a scene-stealer. The film, however, can be seen as a throwback to older, formulaic filmmaking. Yet, it also celebrates the enduring traditions of Hindi cinema. Amidst the songs, ‘Barsaat’ offers a message of independence for deserted wives: to seize opportunities. Priyanka Chopra’s character builds a new life after being asked to sign divorce papers, returning the financial support offered by her husband. Bobby Deol’s character’s journey to indifference is explored, particularly his move to the US and engagement to another woman. Is he simply a heartless character, or does he reflect a modern dilemma? Director Suneel Darshan presents a familiar love triangle, emphasizing the spoken words and background score. The film pays homage to cinematic greats, drawing parallels to Raj Kapoor’s ‘Ram Teri Ganga Maili’ and J. Om Prakash’s ‘Aakhir Kyon.’ While embracing the best of mainstream Hindi cinema, the film falls short of offering a truly fresh perspective. The supporting characters are stereotypical, but Darshan understands the film formula. He reflects on his films, like ‘Jaanwar’ and ‘Andaaz’, which were successful. He also shares the story behind the film’s casting choices, particularly the change in the male lead role.
