Coming as it does on the heels of “Pink” last week, “Parched” seems a little too contrived to be a memorable tale of women empowerment.

Parched is a curiously unsatisfying experience. The issues it highlights – domestic violence, marital rape, child marriage, male entitlement – are the sort that would naturally draw empathy from a considerate viewer. Why then is it not as gripping as might be expected?

In spite of its flaws, Parched manages to win your heart. It’s not the typical run-of-the-mill Bollywood movie. The exchanges between the leading ladies will make you smile. It’s also great to see how women from the village break free to live life on their own terms. Bollywood movies could easily do with more characters like Rani and Lajjo. 

That film still speaks to me, while Parched left me thirsting for more; its parts don’t quite add up to a compelling whole.

Yadav’s third film Parched presents gender issues in a fairy-tale setting, but retains enough head and heart to flip the gorgeous backdrops to reveal the violence, abuse and discrimination that characterise the lives of the three principal characters.