Do Patti Review : Do Patti, which became available on Netflix on October 25, is a gripping crime thriller drama with complex themes of family and rivalry supported by strong performances. Shashanka Chaturvedi directed the movie and it features prominent actors such as Kriti Sanon, who impresses in a dual role, and Kajol as a no-nonsense cop. Both of them add substance to the stories of twin sisters who share love but also deep-rooted hatred toward each other. This critique will explore the film’s plot, its merits, and the overall experience in watching the film.
Plot Summary: A Tale of Twin Sisters, Love, and Betrayal
The plot focuses on twin sisters Soumya and Shaily, two personalities played by Kriti Sanon, whose dynamic serves as the emotional spine of the film. While Soumya is a tender-hearted person and introverted, Shaily is rather a headstrong and outspoken person. The twin sisters were always at loggerheads with each other as they grew together in a small hill station called Devipur. After the death of their mother, Shaily becomes jealous of Soumya, as she believes that her sister has always been the more liked one. This jealousy begins innocently, as small acts of hurtful revenge in their earlier years; for example, chopping off Soumya’s hair, and trying to ruin her romantic pursuits.
In the course of events, Soumya secures herself a boyfriend in the form of Dhruv, who is acted by Shaheer Sheikh. Dhruv is handsome and witty, but has rage issues that complicate the plot even further. When things begin to get serious between Soumya and Dhruv, Shaily makes a re-appearance in light of certain developments that unfold testing the relationship of the two sisters, and the morals of Dhruv.
The situation reaches an agonising climax when a terrible occurrence occurs and both Dhruv and Shaily become suspects, resulting in an investigation by the police officer Vidya Jyoti (Kajol). The film is heightened by Kajol’s performance as the unabashed Vidya, as she embarks on a journey to figure out the mystery behind the crime committed.
Key Performances: Standout Acting from Kriti Sanon and Kajol
In the film Do Patti, we see Kriti Sanon at her finest as she effortlessly oscillates between the timid Soumya and the bold Shaily. This is, of course, very believable because the audience is first introduced to Soumya’s dilemmas before they even understand Shaily’s cynical point of view. The duality of this role is difficult as it is not just the characteristics which are different, but also the emotional levels, and in this Kriti is equally good.
Coming to the screen, Kajol carrying the character of Inspector Vidya is simply impressive. Though her character could have been developed more, Kajol makes sure that along with the conviction, Vidas’ pursuit of justice also has a degree of effectiveness whereby the audiences find her to be a great addition to the story. Vidya’s role also brings out the struggles of incest that she has come from, and perhaps this could have been developed further, but with Kajol, such backstory is not really necessary because simply her presence is striking.
Another character who is a highlight of this thriller is Dhruv played by Shaheer Sheikh, who perfectly portrays a troubled man caught in the dilemma of love and ambition. His scenes where he gets angry as well and outwardly causes dysfunction in Soumya’s life in conjunction with some of the scenes where he fights with Soumya adds a touch of pretty realistic drama to the film, most especially in the domestic violence sections. The character of Sheikh is intriguing, and as far as he does to push the plot alongside Kriti, he remains unprincipled.
Strengths: Emotional Depth, Unique Storyline, and Social Themes
The depiction of conflicted family dynamics represents one of the principal thematic aspects of the movie. The bond that exists between Soumya and Shaily, which is a mixture of jealousy, love, and competition, provides the film with the strongest emotional incitement. Tensions are kept high by way of flashbacks to the two’s childhood, as well as the simmering animosity that their history evokes. Shaily’s contempt for her sibling is not simply illustrated as petty envy but instead, as a psychological state stemming from years of being on the unappreciated end of favoritism.
Also, Do Patti has elements of domestic violence, unconditional love for families, and the theme of forgiveness. Soumya’s complex feelings over her husband Dhruv show the more disturbing aspects of family violence and disruption, which is the parting. One of the more poignant scenes illustrates how Soumya silently endures pain while Shaily is boisterous and outspoken revealing different effects of abuse.
One of the societal ills that the film also analyzes is the expectations that weigh down on people. Shaily’s coming back to stay with her parents and her grudge towards Soumya reveals how society expects women to conform to certain behaviors. Vidya, who plays the role of a lady constable, is portrayed as being strong enough to operate within the protective shield of masculinity and yet extend her compassion, which suggests issues of gender equity and endurance.
Weaknesses: Pacing Issues and Some Narrative Gaps
Even though Do Patti generates suspense brilliantly, it has some setbacks. The pacing sounds too slow from time to time, especially in the relationship building scenes. Also, the tensity moments such as Shaily feeling jealous or Vidya doing some sleuthing could have been more pronounced to aid in the progression of the storyline. The pacing begins to be a slight problem somewhere at the center in the film which is likely to make some of the audiences lose interest for a while.
Besides, even if there is promise in Kajol’s character Vidya, more time on screen would have helped her character grow. The audience sees glimpses of Vidya’s resoluteness and reasons for her, nonetheless, the plot does not back her to the fullest which makes her character at some point look like a background. Regardless of this, Kajol’s performance manages to compensate for any wellbeing inadequacies in the character.
Direction, Cinematography, and Music: Adding Layers to the Storytelling
An intelligent fitment of a layered narrative, director Shashanka Chaturvedi doesn’t disappoint. He manages to maintain Soumya’s and Shaily’s stand-off, the essence of their psychological enmity. A small hill station as a backdrop in a way adds to the ghostly aura of the film, where narrow paths and sparsely populated areas tend to give an impression of being enclosed and inquisitive.
The camera work shows how the two characters differ from each other, the character of Soumya normally positioned under soft, low angle light inferring her timid self. Shaily however is seen in striking, aggressive shots which portray her fierce personality. Choosing Devipur as the setting adds to the film’s aesthetic value by bringing in the Indian traditional landscape during such poignant scenes so that the emotional trajectories of the characters can be fully realized and appreciated.
Sachet-Parampara’s music suits the perspective of the film well. The score adds its own weight in the course of some important scenes while not being a hindrance to the story. Particularly when there are scenes on domestic violence and Shaily’s jealousy, the score helps the audience feel more, enhancing the experience.
Conclusion: A Must-Watch for Thrillers and Fans of Complex Narratives
Do Pai stands out as a crime-thriller film yet manages to incorporate elements of suspense and drama with strong performances. Kriti Sanon excels in the role of a twin sister who battles love, jealousy and trauma, triumphing as an all rounded actress. Kajol plays the role of Vidya, who although takes the least screen time, is strong, and plays well with the other leading characters.
There are places in the film where the pace drags and more could have been done with the character of Vidya, however, these faults do not greatly affect the slightly over two hours of viewing. Do Patti, in the end, sticks to its purpose and manages to tell a story that is quite emotional in nature, and looks at and deals with the matters of the society as well as the issues residing within the family.
While crime films are thrilling and entertaining, Do Patti has depth and a plot that stands out. It guarantees suspense, an inspiring narrative, and great acting, which makes it a great film to find in the Netflix Library. Whether you love Kriti Sanon or in the mood for a complex storyline, this one is enriching and stimulating.