Toilet: Ek Prem Katha Review

The extension of a ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ advertisement releases on a long weekend and promises to be entertainingly preaching as well.

The director, Narayan Singh, slyly narrates a story which is entirely pro-government propaganda but for a good cause. Cinema as a propaganda tool was used even during the mid-20th century and was really effective then as it is now because it serves the dual purpose of entertainment along with planting the ideologies into the people’s ’empty-slate-like-mind’. There was one scene where a government officer was praising demonetisation too and that is where this film was stamped as a propaganda film.

The film also cleverly explains or, as some would say, covers-up for the toilet-scam which was doing rounds in the newspaper. It explains how not just the government are responsible for the rural habit of open defecation. It makes us realise that we the people are equally responsible for our rigid mindset. The problem with the film lies in the fact that the film would be showcased to the people who already know the problems associated with open defecation. This should have been majorly screened in rural single screen theatres but that wouldn’t have been a good move in terms of return-of-investment.

Talking about the acting sector then Bhumi Pednekar outshines Akshay Kumar although Akshay performs excellently too. Sudhir Pandey and Divyendu Sharma serve up the comic element best. Sudhir Pandey acts out good in the anger-mode too by portraying the rigid mentality of old people in a justified manner. Akshay portrays the ‘loafer’ men the best, could’ve done better like Dhanush in ‘Raanjhanna’. Bhumi’s character reflects the frustration of the rural women the best, open defecation might be a small issue for few but is a major hurdle in cleansing of the country from many diseases.

The entertainment value of the film is high but few patches are their where the length of the film would be hard to pass. It will seem at times as if they just wanted to fit some story around this anti-open-defecation message and so the flaws in the plot are too flashy – like the two holi festivals within the span of 6 months, then the seemingly forced reciprocation of love from the girl’s side (her feelings had less justifying scenes to comprehend with her actions) and many more goof ups like this. The songs too feel too much after a while and you feel that the story has gone snail-paced.

Overall, you would enjoy the film only if you don’t apply your brains at all. Do watch it to understand the plight of rural India too, surely a must watch…