A fiery sisterly war carried by two vivid lead turns.
Verdict tier Recommended, most critics liked it, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
Not streaming in India
Critic consensus
Critical reception for Pataakha is largely positive, with most reviewers appreciating Vishal Bhardwaj's direction and the lead performances by Radhika Madan and Sanya Malhotra in bringing to life the feuding sisters at the film's center. The rustic setting, music, and folksy tone were frequently highlighted as strengths, with several critics noting the film's colourful and energetic sensibility as a departure from Bhardwaj's usual register. The most consistent criticism across reviews is that the film overstays its welcome, with the narrative feeling stretched beyond its natural length and the second half growing repetitive.
4 not-rated reviews aren't plotted
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 16 critic reviews · may contain errors
Report inaccuracyFrom the papers
Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review ·
The new Vishal Bhardwaj film is colourful, noisy and dazzling...Vishal Bhardwaj turns the two warring sisters, played by Radhika Madan and Sanya Malhotra, into a metaphor for India and Pakistan, countries locked in an endless cycle of sniping.
Top critic
Film review ·
The girls in Pataakha take some getting used to: you have to suspend disbelief to take these dusty, filthy-mouthed sisters seriously. But once they start settling into their roles, you cross a hump
Top critic
Film review ·
With Sanya Malhotra's Full-Throated Performance, It's A Cracker Of A Film...This is a cracker of a film that blends the dynamics of a rustic burlesque with a stylised cinematic sensibility
Film review ·
Delightful, with a peppy, folksy punch... Vishal Bhardwaj's direction and writing are superlative.
Film review ·
Pataakha is an oxymoron. It's explosive but subtle; it's emotive but doesn't take itself too seriously as a film. It could have benefited with a tighter edit, but for the most part I couldn't take my eyes away from the screen. Pataakha is an indulgence worth investing in.
Film review ·
Pataakha is a well-crafted adaptation of Charan Singh Pathik's short story Do Behnein, which ends with something that's quite clearly wishful thinking.
Film review ·
Your Dose Of Smiles And Tears...Viewers are instantly sucked into the rustic milieu and volatile world of Champa and Genda Kumari
Film review ·
Simply put, with sparkling performances and a colourful setting, Pataakha shines on screen like a proper boxful of crackers!
Film review ·
Fun, colourful, comical are adjectives you rarely use for a Vishal Bhardwaj film, but that's exactly what Pataakha is...
Film review ·
Vishal Bhardwaj, as he always does with his films, has tried to put many quirky spins into this comedy. The music is rustic, but very pleasing. He has also provided an interesting background score. During the second half, as the film briefly explores a psychological reason for the sisters' tendency to fight, the sci-fi sounding background music adds a delightful touch to the proceedings. But for all its wonderful and creative touches, Pataakha still feels like a story that stretches a short concept, for a little too long.
Film review ·
The loud background score and the music mesh seamlessly with the narrative. Those looking forward to Malaika Arora's item number would be disappointed. Overall, the film is an above average entertainer.
Film review ·
Pataakha, starring Sanya Malhotra and Radhika Madan, marks the return of Vishal Bhardwaj to direction. The film is entertaining in parts, but fails to leave a mark...
Film review ·
'Pataakha' has the fuse, but not the firepower...Vishal Bhardwaj's adaption is buoyed by crackling performances
Film review ·
"Pataakha" should have been a short film, but it got inexplicably extended into a 136-minute full length feature. Much like his protagonists, Bhardwaj doesn't know when to cut it short and walk away.
Film review ·
he rustic tale of sibling enmity provides an abundance of wisecracks Pataakha has everything that makes it a perfect fit in Vishal Bhardwaj's oeuvre: literary adaptation, feisty women, rustic hinterland, unapologetic use of dialect and free-flowing gaalis. Yet, the film doesn't feel contrived or formulaic.
Film review ·
On the flip side, the plot gets a tad repetitive in the second half and seems dragging. Thankfully, Sunil Grover comes to the rescue and pulls up the strings.
From our readers
1 rating · user score 7.0
'Pataakha' is an adaptation of a Hindi short story which has been written in modern times: and it does get the atmosphere of the rustic small-town India quiet right. The sequences are well-fleshed-out and absolutely far from flashy. It makes cultural resonance and the language is well-studied. But the narrative uses dark undertones. This film is hugely entertaining because it is interestingly enough, a contrast palette: you see that this war between the two sisters Badki and Chhutki is a sparkling, colorfully eye-catching affair which has the Diwali sparkle, but it uses meaty, gritty, capturing undertones which make the light of the film a grim one: these people look like real village people and their fights are as interesting. My problem, however, with the film is that its awfully stretched in the first half. Also, the narrative is very entertaining but it needed more seamless interweaving. In fact, Vishal Bhardwaj uses his time-tested formulas to picture the selfishness inside these sisters. But the film makes up for these flaws when all of it comes hilariously together in the end. This film, then, turns into a full-bodied, modern folktale. The performance by Vijay Raaz as the frustrated but caring Baapu is wholesome. But it is these sisters: the marvelous Radhika Madaan and the arresting Sanya Malhotra- who truly win you over. The film makes crisp comments about the situation across the India and Pakistan borders through the lives of these sisters, and this helps as hell, thanks to the humorous, harmlessly fun performance delivered by Sunil Grover. Watch 'Pataakha'. It's entertainment is like never before.
Credits
Sanya MalhotraGenda 'Chhutki' Kumari
Sunil GroverDipper Naradmuni
Vijay RaazBechara Bapu
Namit Das
Radhika MadanChampa 'Badki' Kumari
Saanand VermaTharki Patel
Malaika Arora
Rekha Bhardwaj
Ajay Kapoor
Ranjan Palit
A. Sreekar Prasad
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