2023 ‧ Comedy/Drama ‧ 2h 4m
“Laapataa Ladies” (transl. Lost Ladies) is a 2023 Indian Hindi-language comedy-drama film helmed by director Kiran Rao. The film is produced by Rao, along with Aamir Khan and Jyoti Deshpande. Starring Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastava, Chhaya Kadam, and Ravi Kishan, it follows the journey of two young brides who find themselves lost during a train ride.
Debuting at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 8, 2023, the movie was later theatrically released on March 1, 2024.
Plot
In the fictional region of Nirmal Pradesh in 2001, Deepak, a farmer, embarks on a journey back to his village with his newlywed wife, Phool. Amidst the crowded passenger train filled with other newlywed couples, all donning veils as per tradition, Deepak falls asleep. Upon awakening in the night, he realizes he has reached his destination, but in the confusion, he disembarks with the wrong bride, leaving Phool behind on the train.
Arriving in Deepak’s village, the couple is warmly welcomed by his family. However, upon discovering the mix-up with the bride, named Jaya, she fabricates false details about herself out of fear.
Meanwhile, at a different station, Jaya’s husband, Pradeep, mistakenly takes Phool with him, assuming her to be Jaya. Realizing the mistake, Phool hides at the station in distress. Despite her plight, she decides to remain hopeful and stays at the station with the assistance of Manju Mai, who operates a tea stand.
Frantically searching for Phool, Deepak seeks help from SI Shyam Manohar. Suspecting Jaya of being a thief, Manohar surveils her activities, observing her selling jewelry, using a mobile phone, and purchasing bus tickets.
As Jaya integrates into Deepak’s family, she exhibits remarkable knowledge of organic farming. Seeking to aid the search for Phool, she requests Deepak’s artistically-gifted sister-in-law to sketch a portrait of her. Meanwhile, Phool learns independence and self-identity while working at the tea stand.
Mistakenly believing Jaya to be part of a thieving syndicate, Manohar arrests her. However, Deepak and his family discover the truth about Jaya’s forced marriage to Pradeep, who only sought dowry. Jaya had aspirations of pursuing organic farming and had secured admission to a prestigious university in Dehradun. Seizing the opportunity presented by her accidental departure with Deepak, she sold her jewelry to fund her academic pursuits and journey to Dehradun.
When Pradeep arrives at the police station, he attempts to forcibly take Jaya with him, resulting in a confrontation. Manohar intervenes, asserting Jaya’s autonomy as an adult and threatening legal action against Pradeep.
Thanks to posters bearing her portrait, Phool eventually boards a train and reunites with Deepak. With her newfound freedom, Jaya departs to pursue her studies in Dehradun.
Watch it on Netflix
