Chhatriwali: An Important Film that Breaks Condom Taboo

Rakul Preet Singh starrer “Chhatriwali” started streaming on Zee5 on January 20^th 2023. If you’re a movie buff, you’re probably aware of Bollywood’s obsession of continuously addressing a condom as a chhatri or umbrella. So, if you thought the film was literally about “umbrellas”, you’re mistaken. Even before I started watching the film, I knew it would have quite a few predictable moments, and oh boy, I was right!

In today’s day and age, there are quite a few films that tackle the subject of safe sex and condoms. In fact, Ayushmann Khurrana is one such Bollywood actor who is known to take up scripts that deal with social issues in a quirky manner. Thankfully, several female protagonists are joining the bandwagon, and they’re doing an equally good job. After the digital premiere of Chhatriwali, a lot of netizens compared it to Nushrrat Baruccha’s Janhit Mein Jaari. Some even compared it to Aparshakti Khurrana starrer, Helmet, a film that tackled contraceptive awareness. In my opinion, the subject can never be saturated as awareness in our country is very important.

Chhatriwali Movie Review: Rakul Preet Singh Delivers an Important Social Message

Disclaimer – *You might encounter a few spoilers ahead*

The movie starts with a rishta meeting wherein the proposal is rejected because the boy works at a factory that manufactures condoms. It’s considered so shameful that the girl’s side instantly gets up from there. According to me the beginning of the film is impactful and establishes the premise. A few scenes later we have Rakul Preet Singh (Sanya Dhingra) joining in. She essays the role of a female unemployed chemistry genius in the district of Karnal. Her wit and smartness lands her a job in a condom manufacturing factory as a quality tester. Though hesitant initially, she then decides to take up the job to improve the financial condition of her home. At this point, she too considers condoms as a stigma of shame. Thus, she decides to keep the nature of her job a secret.

Throughout the film, you will notice a lot of wordplay. For instance, when Sanya tells her mother she’s got a job in an umbrella factory, her mum responds by saying “Purani chhatri phatt jaati hai, leak ho jaati hai aur hum bheeg jaate hai. Ache colour aur design leke aana, main polka dot wale chhatri se thak chuki hoon”. There are multiple scenes in the film where the dialogues convey a double meaning. Honestly, the comic timing of the film is applaudable. It left me in splits.

She falls in love with Rishi Kalra played by Sumeet Vyas. He’s absolutely fantastic in a supporting role. Her in-laws are so much in awe of her that they actually compare her to Indra Nooyi. Will they still respect her when they learn she works at a condom factory?

Another actor that left me super impressed was Rajesh Tailang (Rajan Kalra). Even if the character is small, he never disappoints. In the film, he essays the role of Rishi’s brother. Throughout the film, you’ll see Rajesh wear many hats. He’s not just a biology professor at work but also a concerned father and doting elder brother. He brings out a stereotypical character with much ease and finesse. After playing the role of a cop in several web-series, his part in this film is rather different. He is an orthodox patriarch of the family. There’s one such instance in the film where he makes the boys and girls sit separately during biology class as he’s teaching the anatomy of a reproductive system. He even gets irked by the questions asked by a few students. He is so embarrassed by the topic that he asks students to pay more attention to the digestive system over the reproductive system as the latter is anyway an optional choice in the exam and carries only two marks.

With a run time of close to two hours, Chhatriwali loses pace towards the second half. It becomes slightly sluggish and a little melodrama kicks in.

All hell breaks loose when Sanya’s conservative in-laws find out about her real job. They’re so embarrassed that they ask her to resign immediately. She was obviously prepared for this reaction as she too initially considered it a taboo. After a brief stint at the condom factory, she soon realised that it is actually a lifesaver and not something to be ashamed of. Hell bent on teaching students about safe sex and pregnancy, Sanya goes to various extents to educate not just them but her husband too in their own bedroom. The amusing moments in the film keep it going.

Prachee Shah Paandya’s character is also an important one in the film. She essays the role of Rajan’s wife. Her character is a meek woman who is only meant for the kitchen and has a zero say in the household decisions. Several times in the film, she is seen in a life-and-death situation as she has to repeatedly take abortion pills in order to avoid unwanted pregnancies. Her partner refuses to resort to male contraceptive measures and calls it a “gandi cheez”.

The Verdict

Chhatriwali is definitely a coming-of-age film that tackles some very important questions. When Sanya starts her own sex-ed camp, she brings a certain tenderness to her character. Whether she has to discuss the subject with curious teenagers or hold her head up high in front of a room full of people, her stand is relentless. In a country like India where there is a certain unwillingness to change, the movie speaks to the audience without any filters, and without differentiating between man and woman.

Chhatriwali beautifully highlights the lack of importance given to such subjects. Rakul Preet Singh is definitely the captain of the ship as she sets out on a mission to make sex education in schools compulsory and not optional. It slams patriarchy without being preachy. I’ll give it three and a half stars. It’s a must-watch for people from all walks of life – teenagers and adults alike.

It would be great to see Bollywood make more such films. Kudos to the director, Tejas Vijay Deoskar.

Watch the trailer here: