Here is a thrilling ride at full speed you absolutely don't want to miss. Dhak Dhak puts the spotlight on biker women and it does that quite efficiently. The women in this film, all four of them—Fatima Sana Shaikh, Ratna Pathak Shah, Dia Mirza and Sanjana Sanghi—are perfectly cast for their characters; each of them bring on board a certain authenticity and vibe, that holds the viewer in rapt attention.
The storyline with all its well fleshed-out character arcs is foolproof, creative and gripping and the screenplay does full justice to it as it brings it from paper to screen. All four women come from diverse backgrounds and that one element which binds them all together is a yearning for adventure biking.
They march together on a road trip to Khardung La point near Leh, known to be one of the world's highest motorable passes in Ladakh. This film is not just about that trip but more about how they all get together on that trip, rather, how, that one trip is a testament to their grit, an unflinching determination and the ambition to pursue their dreams, which remains at the back of their minds even as they are consumed by other worldly cares including domesticity.
Let's start with the ever astute Ratna Pathak Shah who essays the role of sexagenarian grandmother Manpreet Kaur Sethi aka Mahi, who feels devoid of love and attention. But that does not bother her as much as that nagging pull of the heart that keeps reminding her to fulfil her desire of riding a bullet on Khardung La Pass.
Then there is Dia Mirza as Uzma who feels stifled by her burqa and a dominating husband, but is a pro at fixing bikes and understanding the motor mechanics. Fatima Sana Shaikh as SKY, a YouTuber, is ever charming and relatable. She tries to battle cyber harassment and the fallout of a broken relationship and Sanjana Sanghi as Manjari is a young, wondrous kid who is just discovering the pleasures of life, particularly biking, in the shadow of a single mother. The stories of all these four women are beautifully weaved together with layers of supporting narratives, through an equally convincing supporting cast.
Writer and director Tarun Dudeja has ensured that the discourse around patriarchy does not hold centrestage in this cleverly written plot. There are ots of graffiti, murals and street art which the filmmaker uses to subtly send across the message he wants to. Friendship, camaraderie, love, hate, anger, envy, everything is visible in the dynamics between the four women and their banter is extremely endearing. It seems organic and natural, despite the age gap between them in real life.
Shah aces as a Punjabi woman who is straddling the time gap between conservatism and modernism, Dia brings a freshness and calmness to her role as Uzma and is literally relatable as the girl next door who might be an ace biker. All in all, together, these women make us laugh, cry and cheer for them in equal measure. Dhak Dhak is a must watch.
Film: Dhak Dhak
Director: Tarun Dudeja
Cast: Ratna Pathak Shah, Dia Mirza, Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanjana Sanghi
Rating: 4/5
