Blogchatter has a themed campaign for ‘Cause A Chatter Blogging With A Purpose’ by adding three categories of causes Mental Health Talks, Gender Talks, and Environmental Talks. My choice is Gender Talks.
I recently watched the Criminal Justice Behind Closed Doors. It is a Hotstar special.
The story revolves around why did a wife kill her husband? She was the murderer for sure, BUT WHY? The victim, a celebrity Lawyer, loving father, great husband (portrayed) looks too tidy to be the perfect husband. The couple have a young daughter who plays a good role in the series. The mother of the victim essayed by Deepti Naval.
Right from the trailer I knew I would like it, it went beyond my expectations. Cinematically, theme wise, there was a comparison with the previous Criminal Justice, which was popular enough to garner views for the next season. I am usually more concerned with the story, and watching it was pretty painful (strong word) but yes, let me tell you why. A keen observer, I guessed she was in an abusive relation but in the court, this had to be proved with evidence. The wife was clearly silent but calm with respect to the murder, the only time she shakes up is when her daughter is at stake. This shows that she is at peace with the situation she is in but is immensly worried for her daughter.
SPOILER ALERT!
The wife Anuradha, played by Kirti Kulkarni, wife of Bikram Chandra, played by Jisshu Sengupta, is dazed most of the time, thinking but unable to say a thing. Bikram has scripted a story to the world, their daughter and Anuradha’s father about her illness. An imaginary illness. He tells the daughter that they are a team trying hard to save Mom from the illness. Manipulation by a lawyer keeping all the pieces intact. With this I could draw a conclusion, in today’s world, the more educated, the more intense the crime. He makes her believe that she forgets things by tiny incidents. As the story progressed, I felt more bad for the society we live in. The daughter is completely against the mother, it cuts out a sorry figure for all the mothers out there. But there is justice and it is through the daughter.
The police officer Gauri played by Kalyanee Mulay, deserves a special mention for the role essayed and and the character she plays. She is also in a subtle abusive relationship that gets visible towards the end, discovers it through the case and takes a final call to part ways.
There is Pankaj Triparti who is Madhav, the lawyer who takes up the case for Anuradha, who leaves his wife, just after getting married. This too is not clearly right in my opinion, but the wife, a strong Ratna played by Khushboo Atre shows him the pathway of marriage. How are women so taken for granted?
Another part played by Anupama Menon’s mother who is dealing with her husband’s second marriage throws light upon another problem women face, but must stay on putting up a brave face. Anupama is, Nikhat the lawyer assisting Madhav with the case.
I believe that if a story like this is made, it surely has been lurking around the corner. These four stories, all dealing with not very healthy relationships must be understood by the audience and seen as a perspective of saving such a relationship
Abuse at home, giving a cold glance, commenting on the suggestions offered, disregarding one’s opinion and laughing it off, trying to act indifferent with in-laws are all subtle forms of abuse. Many undergo these harsh yet subtle forms of abuse but very few actually speak up, some don’t even understand that they are being abused and are made to feel guilty for every tiny little act as simple as forgetting to buy ice-cream.
Criminal Justice behind Closed doors has the apt sub-title behind closed doors for this sort of abuse.
Questy Musings 