TYFC Challenges Social Norms Women Are Buried Under Even Today

Spoiler Alert: There's a woman who silently bore the weight of her marital struggles, enduring them until her partner's passing due to her deep-seated fear of society's judgement. Then there's another woman who bravely chose to become a single mother because she refused to settle for a loveless marriage, valuing her happiness over societal norms.

Moreover, there's one more single mother raising her graduating daughter alone. Her daughter is at a stage in life where she's beginning to explore her sexuality, a normal part of growing up. Sadly, society again judges and condemns her for these natural experiences. There's another woman who married her childhood sweetheart but now finds herself in constant conflict with him. She believes she must change him as he is a ‘project’. This struggle is preventing her from living her own life while also causing pain for both of them.

There are five women in total, each with strong individual stories that could have been told separately. However, in this narrative, they are portrayed as mere subplots with very limited screen time. While we needed more of them, they did justice to their allotted screen time.  

Now there's Kanika Kapoor, a food blogger who occasionally cooks and takes pictures but earns well enough to afford expensive designer wedding attire and lavish venues, and she indulges in daily partying. Kanika's story is also quite sympathetic; she's the granddaughter of the first woman, the daughter of the second woman, and a friend to the third and fourth women and her primary struggle revolves around never having experienced an orgasm in her thirty-two years of life.

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The sex comedy, directed by Karan Boolani and penned by Radhika Anand and Prashasti Singh, confidently challenges societal norms. It highlights that partying, having multiple partners, and seeking a fulfilling orgasm should not label someone as a "bad girl" or a 'kandu' girl (as the film calls it).

Kudos to the writers for making Kanika relatable in terms of someone who strives to maintain a perpetually glamorous, happening, and unapologetic, though they kept us in the dark about Kanika's profession, through which she has an endless flow of money.

The main character, Kanika, portrayed by Bhumi Pednekar, has carried the nickname 'Kandu Kanika' since her childhood because her adventurous spirit often led her into various predicaments. However, she enjoys a robust support system, including her grandmother, played by Dolly Ahluwalia; her mother, portrayed by Natasha Rastogi; and her friends, played by Dolly Singh and Shibani Bedi.

As Kanika reaches her 30s, her anxieties and self-doubts intensify. By the time she turns 32, she makes a decision to stop pursuing an 'orgasm trap' and instead settle down with a wealthy businessman. Interestingly, she may not have genuine affection for him, but she appreciates the stability, love, and respect he offers. Little does she realise that, in a way, this decision is a trap of its own, albeit a different kind.

On the night of her engagement, she finally experiences that perfect satisfaction. But to find out who's responsible for it, you'll have to watch the film. The most exciting part of the movie is figuring out who the mystery person is. Noting that Kanika drinks a lot when she drinks, she often blacks out and forgets everything, and on engagement night, she drank heavily.

A special mention goes to Sushant Divgikr for their outstanding performance and for truly owning this role. Additionally, the entries of Anil Kapoor, Karan Kundra, Shehnaaz Gill, and Kusha Kapila ignited cheers and excitement from the audience.

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