Sometimes, a short story is best left as is. Tisca Chopra's directorial debut, Saali Mohabbat, attempts to expand her acclaimed short film Chutney (2016) into a full-length feature. While the film initially offers a tantalizing premise and aesthetic appeal, it ultimately falls flat, leaving viewers wanting more. But does the expansion of the story add or detract from its impact? Let's dive in.
Saali Mohabbat centers on Kavita (Radhika Apte), a seemingly ordinary housewife. After discovering her husband's infidelity at a party in Delhi, Kavita processes her shock and disappointment by weaving a compelling narrative for her family and friends. This narrative becomes the core of the film, allowing Kavita to explore her emotions and communicate her underlying feelings.
Director: Tisca Chopra
Runtime: 108 minutes
Starring: Radhika Apte, Divyendu Sharma, Anshuman Parkar, Anurag Kashyap, Sharat Saxena
Synopsis: In the fictional town of Fursatgarh, Smita, a devoted homemaker, sees her life unravel when her cousin, Shalini, enters the picture. Shalini quickly becomes entangled in a torrid affair with Smita's husband, Pankaj, who is already burdened by debt. Adding to the complexity, Shalini also attracts the attention of a corrupt police officer, Ratan (Divyendu Sharma).
As the story unfolds, we realize that Kavita is, in fact, Smita in a different time and place, and the story she tells is a deliberate strategy to send a message to her unfaithful husband. It's not hard to see the parallels with the classic revenge narratives, where a wronged woman seeks justice. But does this comparison enhance or diminish the film's impact?
After establishing the atmosphere, Chopra maintains a safe and straightforward approach. The supporting characters are painted with a single brushstroke. For instance, Pankaj's eagerness to cheat on Smita is evident from the start. This approach, while perhaps intended to generate empathy for Smita, sacrifices the complexity and moral ambiguities that both love and long-form storytelling often demand. Is it possible that the film sacrifices nuance for the sake of simplicity?
Radhika Apte is undeniably the film's standout element. She expertly portrays the nuances of Kavita's transformation. Her transition from an unassuming presence to a woman seeking revenge is seamless. She defends her dignity against those who would exploit her, and she also embodies the sorrow of her fractured relationships.
However, Apte's expressive eyes sometimes reveal too much, making her performance occasionally feel overly dramatic. The supporting cast, unfortunately, doesn't quite match the brilliance of the original Chutney. Anshuman Parkar lacks the subtlety of Adil Hussain, while Sauraseni Maitra's portrayal of the seductress is rather obvious. Sharat Saxena's casting as Smita's well-wisher feels out of place. Divyendu Sharma reprises a familiar role, and Anurag Kashyap's cameos become monotonous.
Chopra uses Smita's interest in gardening to symbolize the story's deeper meaning, comparing domestic life to a flourishing garden and infidelity to a destructive weed. However, the feminist themes and the aesthetic production design eventually become excessive, weakening the thriller's impact. The film leaves us questioning the 'why' behind the events. Could the film have benefited from a more concise narrative, as in the original short film?
Saali Mohabbat is available for streaming on Zee5.
Published: December 13, 2025 02:32 pm IST
What are your thoughts? Do you agree that the film's expansion of the original story was a misstep? Share your opinions in the comments below!
