Sharanya Kumar
In Netflix’s Kaala Paani, the scorpion wishes to reach land during a flood. In Kuttey, the scorpion is desperate to reunite with his lover on the opposite bank of a river. Tabu’s character prefaces her narration by claiming it is a “fresh and hot” story. (reference: scorpion and the frog. search it up)
Satyaprem Ki Katha simply teaches a very important lesson that Consent is key, and there is no shame in being a survivor of sexual assault. The Mirror, from Lust Stories 2. Seema’s husband talks about how his consent was ignored in the voyeuristic tug-of-war between Seema and Isheeta.
In Rocky aur Rani kii Prem Kahaani Rani’s mother schools Rocky on his embarrassment around bras: “When you stop thinking of women as a strange species markedly different from you, and begin to treat them as equals, that’s when you will actually respect them."
Azad, from Jawaan, stole all voting machines but promises to return them on the condition that citizens critically question their political leaders before voting. He encourages voters to reject fear, bribery, and divisive factors like caste or religion in their decision-making process.
In 12th Fail, Manoj is unflinchingly honest about his past and emphasises the importance of doing one’s job with integrity and good faith. “I won’t accept defeat, I’m not that easy to beat; I will not rest till the goal is reached,” he says with a smile.
Three of Us (2023) is a tender reminder to live in the present and cherish the moments that make us feel the most like ourselves. As Pradeep writes in his poem, inspired by Shailaja and her unexpected return to his life: “Tomorrow will only come when today is played out.
In Kho gaye Hum Kahaan, The three friends are older and wiser by the end of the film, realising that they were using the digital world to escape from the real one. “We got so lost in our screens that we forgot to look within ourselves,” says Ahana.