Laapataa Ladies Overtakes Animal On Netflix: Triumph For Good Storytelling

Since its debut on Netflix a month ago, Laapataa Ladies has experienced an impressive surge in viewership, with a staggering 13.8 million views, crossing the viewership numbers of the global blockbuster Animal, featuring Ranbir Kapoor. The brainchild of director Kiran Rao and the creative mastery of Aamir Khan Productions stands as a classic example of the power of content that strikes a chord with audiences on a deeply personal level. Unlike Animal, which is based on themes of female oppression, toxic masculinity, and unrestrained violence, Laapataa Ladies offers a refreshing departure, presenting a heart-touching story of two women in a small village making their way into the big-bad world after being exchanged during a train ride to their husband's homes, urging viewers to reflect on the values that truly matter in life.

Animal, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga was released in cinemas on December 1, 2023 and was later released on Netflix on January 26, 2024. In contrast, Laapataa Ladies premiered on Netflix on April 26 and managed to accumulate those views in just 30 days, whereas Animal took around four months to achieve the same number of viewership.

While Animal had a star-studded cast and substantial financial backing, it was Laapataa Ladies, a modestly estimated rural dramedy that came out triumphant, proving not only a shift in audience preferences but also the importance of the ability to tell stories that matter in everyday life and thematic connection in tugging viewers' hearts and minds.

Beyond the viewership milestones, Laapataa Ladies goes beyond the periphery of digital metrics. Led by a stellar cast featuring Ravi Kishan, Sparsh Shrivastava, Pratibha Ranta, and Nitanshi Goel, who breathes life into the story and makes you reflect on the societal dynamics, forcing you deeper into the complexities of human relationships, identity, and the power of truth in a world riddled with stereotypes and patriarchy.

The Triumph of Quality Over Spectacle

While Bollywood has produced many memorable heroes, the portrayal of masculinity (toxic) in many films, such as Animal, has frequently come under fire for promoting toxic ideals of machismo and aggression, in which male characters, whether protagonists or antagonists, exhibit traits of possessiveness, entitlement, and violence against women, blurring the lines between reel and reality. 

However, Laapata Ladies presents an entirely fresh viewpoint in which these women do not require a man to be saved. After getting lost, the character Phool (Nitanshi Goel) works at a tea stall and learns the value of being financially independent through her work and decides to pursue it after reuniting with her husband, whereas Jaya (Pratibha Rantta) works tirelessly towards her dream of getting an education in agricultural farming while steering clear of her abusive husband and secretly supporting Deepak (Phool's husband) in finding his wife.

Phool represents Indian femininity in all of its grandeur. When everyone else has lost faith, she remains convinced that her husband is going to find her, despite all the risks. Jaya, on the other hand, is ambitious but has an uncluttered mind and has an inspiring impression on everyone she meets. Later, when these women come together towards the end of the movie, Phool acknowledges Jaya for helping her reunite with her husband, while Jaya thanks her for helping her discover herself.

Another problematic subject in Bollywood is its portrayal of violence, especially in romantic relationships. Male characters are often portrayed as possessive and dominating, with their violent behaviour towards women romanticised rather than criticised. Animal too with their characters, glorified cheating, abuse, toxicity within relationships, disrespect, patriarchy, and violence within its premise, where it's deemed acceptable for a man to compliment a woman based on her pelvic size, insinuating her ability to 'accommodate healthy babies.' 

In contrast, Deepak, the main protagonist in the film Laapata Ladies, searches for his wife throughout the film, hoping she is safe wherever she is. He blames himself for bringing home the wrong bride after a long boat, train, and bus journey because she was wearing a veil and all of the newlyweds looked the same in their red bridal attire. The film portrays not only the power of true love but also the stages of growth of the female characters.

Phool's journey is complete, beginning with her refusal to reveal to the station master her husband's name and concluding with her bold call out of his name, as she recalls Manju Mai (Chhaya Kadam) teaching her that her name is part of her identity and that she should take her husband's name. The ending scene, in which Deepak ultimately meets his bride after she cries out his name, brilliantly portrays the value of names, identity, and the joy of finding love.

Why Kiran Rao's "Laapataa Ladies" Outperforming Sandeep Reddy Vanga's "Animal is a Stand Against Misogyny

This triumph not only highlights the power of storytelling and content over misplaced morality that often glorifies societal evils such as patriarchy, misogyny, and toxic masculinity but also highlights the emotional sensibilities of audiences, which are increasingly appreciating and seeking out stories that resonate with deeper Indian values and place the notion of bringing all gender together at the forefront.

Views expressed by the author are their own