Tisca Chopra's 'Saali Mohabbat': A Gripping Tale of Crime and Consequences

Exploring the Dark Themes in 'Saali Mohabbat'

In the short film Chutney, Tisca Chopra portrays a character who shares a cautionary narrative about desire and retribution with a woman flirting with her spouse. Chopra not only stars in but also co-wrote this twist-filled short film. Her debut feature, Saali Mohabbat, builds upon themes introduced in Chutney.

Now streaming on ZEE5, Saali Mohabbat features Radhika Apte as Kavita, a seemingly meek housewife reminiscent of characters from Mannu Bhandari's stories. Kavita, well-versed in crime fiction, confronts her husband at a party when she catches him in a compromising situation, leading her to share a tale of lust and its repercussions.

Set in Fursatgarh, the film follows Smita (also played by Apte), who is married to Pankaj (Anshumaan Pushkar), a gambler in debt to the extravagant Gajendra (Anurag Kashyap). When Smita's cousin Shalini (Sauraseni Mitra) becomes involved with Pankaj, their subsequent deaths make Smita the prime suspect in the eyes of the investigating officer, Ratan (Divyenndu).

The cast also includes Sharat Saxena, who is effectively cast as a protective gardener. Tisca Chopra's narrative of a calculated crime, co-written with Sanjay Chopra, showcases the actors' talents, allowing each character to resonate within a film that primarily highlights Radhika Apte's captivating performance.

Despite her self-perception as unattractive—an aspect that feels less convincing—Smita is far from passive. Apte skillfully conveys Smita's inner turmoil and dignity amidst the affair between Pankaj and Shalini. Smita embodies resilience, akin to a small plant breaking through rocky terrain, a metaphor cleverly woven into the script.

With a lean yet impactful storyline, Saali Mohabbat confidently joins the genre of films exploring moral dilemmas, though it lacks depth. The 104-minute runtime offers limited suspense and could have benefited from more nuanced character development. The narrative hints at a sequel, leaving some threads unresolved rather than providing a self-contained story.

While Smita stands out as the most intriguing character, the supporting cast also leaves a lasting impression. Divyenndu shines as a dubious cop navigating the complexities of a woman harboring secrets within her sari.