Riwaj Film Review: A Tale of Talaq and Triumph Over Tradition

🌟🌟🌟💫 (3.5 out of 5 stars)

Well, well, well, if it isn’t another film trying to ride the social justice wave. I mean, who needs originality and finesse when you can just cash in on people’s thirst for equity, right? 🙄 Buckle up, sweeties, Review Rani is here to give you the real tea on the movie Riwaj!

Riwaj, a movie that boldly tosses its hat into the ring of socially conscious cinema, takes a whack at the much-debated Islamic practice of triple talaq. You know, the one where a husband can call it quits by just chanting ‘talaq’ three times. It’s like a magic spell, but instead of a rabbit popping out of a hat, you get a divorce! 🎩🐇💔

Our dear Zainab, played by Myraa Sareen, is tricked into a marriage with Hanif, a man who embodies the phrase "looks can be deceiving." In fact, he’s so good at being an absolute jerk that his family joins him in turning her life into an endless loop of domestic drudgery and emotional torment. Just when you think things can’t get any worse, Hanif pulls the triple talaq trick and leaves Zainab high and dry.

But Zainab isn’t the type to sit around and cry. Oh no, she decides to fight back, despite a society that would rather see her swallow her pride and accept her fate. Our knight in shining armour, Mithun Chakraborty, aka lawyer Ramzan Qadir, swoops in to help Zainab fight her legal battle.

The film tries its best to make us feel the intensity of the courtroom drama, but it’s like trying to cook a gourmet meal with just salt and pepper. Director Manoj Sati seems to have been in a hurry to conclude the story, thus missing out on the chance to give the narrative the depth it deserved. The film ends on a predictable note, with the oppressed finally getting justice. But hey, we all love a happy ending, don’t we? 🍿🎬

Myraa Sareen, in her debut film, manages to pull off a decent performance. Mithun Chakraborty makes his character, Ramzan, commendable, despite the lack of meat in the script. Aftab Shivdasani fits perfectly in the role of the villainous husband. Anita Raj, as Hanif’s mother, is the cherry on top of this oppressive sundae, while Jaya Prada and Zakir Hussain have blink-and-miss roles.

In Review Rani’s humble opinion, Riwaj is a good one-time watch. It’s like that overpriced popcorn you get at the theatre – you know it’s not the best, but you still eat it because it’s part of the whole experience. If you’re a fan of movies that highlight societal issues and women’s resilience, then Riwaj might just be your cup of chai, despite its narrative hiccups. 🎥🍿☕️

Rani’s Wrap-Up: Riwaj is like that one friend who means well but just can’t get their act together. It has its heart in the right place, but a little finesse wouldn’t hurt. 🎞️💔🙃