The film opens with a light, sassy tone which pokes fun at some grave issues. But as the film progresses, characters’ secret problems are revealed predictably. Nalin’s film is great as a montage series of women bonding without any exaggerated melodrama but completely loses the plot when it tries to tie in a bigger issue. As a result, it ends up with a Hindi mainstream film climax. Nevertheless, as a first attempt at a female bonding film, a diverse cast, fresh, free flowing style and spirited energy, Angry Indian Goddesses is worth a watch. The story may not awe strike you, but will definitely tickle you to get in the entertainment ride! The direction and plot is not awe-inspiring, but the acting certainly is a treat to eyes!
Ultimately, Angry Indian Goddesses is a decent watch as long as the fun lasts but tumbles downhill with gathering pace as the ‘anger’ kicks in. Watch it for its good acting, the director’s bravery in picking his premise and protagonists, but don’t expect a statement on feminism or a revolutionary Bollywood film’. You will be sorely disappointed.
Pan Nalin's Angry Indian Goddesses, on one level, is a charmingly jaunty film powered by peppy performances. But under its cool, casual and cheeky chitchat on matters both saucy and solemn, it is also a trenchant study of a society festering from within. Its serious intent notwithstanding, Angry Indian Goddesses does not overly dilute its air of moderated levity, at least not until the dying moments of a free-flowing drama in which a gaggle of girls throw all the punches. But that is not to say that it is a guilelessly celebratory film about female bonding. Angry Indian Goddesses is a must-see and not only because it is unlike anything Hindi cinema has produced before. It strikes a fine and rare balance between thematic gravitas and breezy entertainment.
Pan Nalin gives India an unusual female buddy film that attempts to make a statement on the growing atrocities against women. His point is that misogyny runs deep in the Indian psyche. As long as the film stays with the lives of its characters, it does well. In the first half, it is breezy, its vocabulary remains conversational and is genuinely palpable. The angst-ridden toughie Sandhya Mridul, the subtle Tannishtha Chatterjee, the innocent Sarah Jane Diaz, the affirmative Anushka Manchanda, the calm Amrit Maghera put together well-etched performances. Pavleen Gujral adds the right dose of romance from time to time and Rajshri Deshpande is a delight to watch. Together, they put together a pleasant concoction of friendship and love. Alas, the story is never supported by a solid screenplay. The film's pace is a problem and though things gear up in the second half, it ends as a loopy mess. When the predictable climax hits with all its cliches, you feel disinterested. As the tone turns sombre, you begin feeling detached. Nalin's promising premise had more merit, but the drama dilutes it all. The tirade about how women are subjugated by society repeats itself frequently and this pummeling brand of feminism doesn't work in favour the film. Angry Indian Goddesses is a decent watch if you keep you expectations in check. It is a perfect example of how anger does very little good afterall.