‘Satyaprem Ki Katha’ Review: Credible Second half Saves the first

Directed by Sameer Vidvans, this Bollywood production, promoted as a quintessential romantic tale, delves into the complexities of consent and date rape.  The film is set in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, where the characters frequently engage in conversations peppered with Gujarati phrases, unaccompanied by subtitles. The film showcases a progressive world where women are empowered and assert their authority, particularly within the confines of Satyaprem’s household. Sattu, portrayed by Aaryan, leads an aimless existence, devoid of ambition or employment, fixated solely on marrying Katha (Kiara Advani). Much of his time is spent on household chores, fueling frequent arguments with his unenthusiastic family members regarding his marital aspirations. Interestingly, Sattu’s mother (Supriya Pathak Kapur) and sister (Shikha Talsania) shoulder the responsibility of providing for the family, while Sattu and his father (Gajraj Rao) tend to domestic duties.

Sattu’s infatuation with Katha begins the moment he lays eyes on her captivating performance during a dandiya night. However, Katha hails from a well-to-do family and is already involved with a boyfriend who exudes wealth and status, leaving Sattu bereft of any chance to enter her life. Unexpectedly, circumstances take a drastic turn when Katha succumbs to pressure and manipulation from her father, ultimately consenting to marry Sattu. Their starkly contrasting lives, Katha’s affluence and education juxtaposed against Sattu’s lack thereof, create a peculiar match from the outset. Complications arise when Katha reveals her troubled past to Sattu, potentially jeopardizing their union and future together. In “Satyaprem Ki Katha,” Karthik  Aaryan plays the role of a well-meaning yet somewhat bumbling character who abhors dishonesty. While lacking in worldly wisdom, he admires his wife from afar and possesses an unwavering sense of integrity, knowing precisely when to stand up for others. Throughout his career, Aaryan has often played roles that exhibit a slightly tone-deaf, alpha lover-boy persona, leading to accusations of misogyny in his films. Although now a superstar, he struggles to shed this image completely. In “Satyaprem Ki Katha,” the tables are turned as he portrays a victim, surrounded by dominant and opinionated women—his mother, sister, and wife. Nevertheless, he ultimately becomes a voice for the oppressed, delivering impassioned monologues on the importance of consent, the non-punishable nature of suicide, and the horrors of date rape.

While “Satyaprem Ki Katha” credibly addresses the issue of date rape and consent in its second half, the first half of the film falls short. The writer of the film Karan Shrikant Sharma, attempts to infuse humor through illogical dialogues that fail to resonate effectively. One may feel increasingly impatient, uncertain of the direction the story was taking. However, the interval provided some clarity. It is in the second half that the plot truly unravels, offering Kiara Advani ample opportunity to showcase her talent. Advani’s portrayal demands a delicate balance of restraint, and she delivers a nuanced performance that leaves a lasting impact. Her presence and portrayal of a woman haunted by a traumatic past truly tugs at the heartstrings, overshadowing Aaryan in several scenes. Aaryan’s performance, on the other hand, lacks the conviction necessary to drive the story forward. In the second half he somewhat improves. As the story unfolds, his character undergoes a remarkable transformation, transitioning from a down and out individual to an inspiring hero, however as an actor he isn’t able to do complete justice to the arc. The supporting cast members are decent, however somewhat one dimensional.

But the main issue is that the film struggles with consistency in its writing, resulting in a patchy narrative, even though the story is important. Certain aspects remain unexplained, such as the underlying reasons behind the mean-spiritedness of Sattu’s mother and sister towards him. The film takes an agonizingly long time to establish its core plot. However, as the film progresses into the second half, addressing the issue of rape, the story manages to redeem itself to a significant extent. Unfortunately, the abundance of songs throughout the 2-hour and 20-minute runtime hampers the narrative flow, which may make the viewing experience feel somewhat sluggish. Additionally, the excessive use of Gujarati dialogues, while aiming to establish the characters regional background, seems somewhat unnecessary in a Hindi film.

It is a rarity for a film to have a lackluster first half and a commendable second half, and “Satyaprem Ki Katha” falls into this category. Marketed as a love story, the film’s true narrative and mature exploration of a serious subject only come to light in the latter half. From a technical standpoint, the film is quite fine. Overall, I would say this is definitely a one-time watch and a noble effort.  The second half makes this film! 3 out of 5 stars