Thappad (transl.Slap) is a 2020 Indian Hindi-language drama film directed and co-written by Anubhav Sinha, starring Taapsee Pannu. The film released theatrically on 28 February 2020. This film received positive reviews from both critics and audience.
Amrita Sandhu and Vikram Sabharwal are happily married. Amrita is a homemaker, looking after her husband and the house. During a party to celebrate his promotion, Vikram learns that his promotion has been compromised for his inexperienced junior, who is a relative of his boss. Angered, he gets into an argument with his superior, Rajhans. When Amrita tries to break up the argument, Vikram slaps her publicly. The incident leaves her shaken and opens her eyes to all the little unfair things she had previously ignored. She realizes that a husband who respects her wouldn't slap her. Moreover, Vikram refuses to take accountability or apologize for his actions.
Unable to "forget it and move on", as everyone advises her to do, Amrita leaves for her parents’ home and files for divorce. This shocks her family. She makes no claims for alimony; her stand is simply that Vikram has no right to hit her and that the slap made her realize she was getting neither respect nor happiness.
Things get complicated when she discovers she is pregnant. Vikram and his lawyer play dirty, making false claims against her to get sole custody of the unborn child. Hurt, Amrita decides to file a domestic violence charge unless he agrees to a divorce and joint custody of the child. Vikram settles for the divorce. Meanwhile, his boss informs him that he is getting the promotion after all.
Amrita speaks to her mother-in-law Sulakshana in the presence of both their families, explaining that on the night he slapped her, nobody in the family asked once if she was okay; they did not hold Vikram accountable, tell him he was wrong, or advise him to apologise. The only thing she was told was to endure it to keep the peace. Sulakshana apologises, acknowledging their misogyny, and says Amrita is doing the right thing.
When Amrita and Vikram meet in court to finalise their divorce, Vikram apologises to her for the first time. He says he rejected the promotion and quit his job, and will try to be someone who deserves her. The two complete their divorce and part ways with a sense of renewed hope.
Cast
Taapsee Pannu as Amrita "Amu" Sabharwal (née Sandhu)
Anil Rastogi as Justice Jaisingh, Netra's father-in-law
Mritunjoy Dev Nath as actor
Production
Principal photography began on 6 September 2019 and ended on 16 October.[5] The film was shot in various places of Uttar Pradesh mainly at Shalimar Paradise, Barabanki and other locations in Lucknow.
Promotion and release
The film was initially set for release on 6 March 2020, but was moved a week earlier to 28 February 2020 in order to avoid clashing with Baaghi 3, a big commercial release.[6]
On 11 February, a second trailer[7] was released which showed Pannu breaking the fourth wall and asking viewers to report the video so that it gets blocked on YouTube.[8]
Reception
Critical response
Praise about the film was focused on its social message, screenplay, direction and performances, but was criticized for its pacing.[9][10] On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 94% of 16 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.9/10.[11]
Box office
Thappad earned ₹2.76 crore net at the domestic box office on the first day. On the second day, the film collected ₹5.05 crore. On the third day, the film collected ₹5.76 crore taking total opening weekend collection to ₹13.57 crore.[4]
As of 19 March 2020[update], with a gross of ₹36.44 crore in India and ₹8.10 crore overseas, the film has a worldwide gross collection of ₹44.54 crore.[4]
The film's songs are composed by Anurag Saikia and lyrics written by Shakeel Azmi and Sanah Moidutty. Additional verses of the song 'Ek Tukda Dhoop' appear only in the movie and these are not officially released in any of the digital platforms.
The song Hayo Rabba is the recreation of Pakistani folk singer Reshma's old song Hai O Rabba Nahion Lagda Dil Mera.
