Toilet: Ek Prem Katha - A clean entertainer



At its core, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha is about a woman’s fight to have a loo in her marital home in a village near Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. However, the movie is more than just that; it is also about breaking stereotypes, challenging cultural and religious beliefs and the right to equality.

Director Shree Narayan Singh tackles an unusual subject with aplomb, giving many humorous moments and at the same time compelling the audience to ponder about the reality is several parts of the country and in some cases, also a man’s mind. The movie could have easily been a preachy affair, but the dialogues and screenplay ensure that cinemagoers are spared of a lecture. Despite this, the message is conveyed in all earnestness.

Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pednekar fall in love despite their different backgrounds, contrasting viewpoints and age difference. She plays along to win over her orthodox father-in-law, but is aghast when neighbouring women call her for a ‘Lota party’ the morning after her wedding. She confronts her husband as to why he hadn’t told her about a lack of toilet at his place. He, of course, thinks it’s a trivial issue till she refuses to budge. He then makes temporary arrangements, but Bhumi is firm that this can’t go on. She goes back to her maternal home and refuses to return till a toilet is constructed.

The story then moves to how Akshay fights his villagers who think this is a result of having an overly educated ‘topper’ wife, his father who cannot fathom why a toilet is a necessity at home and a corrupt system partly created by people’s refusal to change age-old habits. Matters head toward a divorce which then creates a Peepli Live moment in the village. The resultant attention broadens some people’s views, but not everyone is convinced. Eventually, of course, one woman’s fight with the unyielding support of her husband bears fruit.

Akshay’s character is a refreshing change because here is a man who does not expect his wife to succumb to pressure, either societal or his own. He transforms along the way even though he too has conventional views on many issues early on in the movie. He’s dependable as always and must be applauded for doing different types of movies compared to at least two Khans who cannot shed their loverboy/macho image although they are well past 50 years of age.

The real star of the movie, however, is Bhumi, not only because of the way she has been portrayed, but also because of her stupendous performance. To choose such a different role in only her second film and pull it off with élan deserves praise. She’s fabulous on screen as a lover torn between her affection for her husband and her fight for what is right. She refuses to take any nonsense and is a perfect blend of what’s modern and traditional. It is her fierce belief in her views that ultimately heralds a change in mindsets.  

Toilet: Ek Prem Katha has finally given the audience the entertainer they were yearning for. Two thumbs up (those who’ve seen the movie would know why) for this film.  

 - Kunal Purandare 

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