The film “Do Patti” directed by Shashanka Chaturvedi and starring Kajol Devgan, Kriti Sanon, Shaheer Sheikh, Tanvi Azmi, Brijendra Kala, Prachee Shah Paandya, and Vivek Mushran, is a story of identical twins navigating through sibling rivalry, personal trauma, and a love triangle. The film delves into themes of emotional turmoil, social commentary, and the consequences of domestic abuse.
The plot revolves around Shailee and Saumya, both played by Kriti Sanon, who have contrasting personalities. Shailee is portrayed as the wild and free-spirited twin, while Saumya is introverted and quiet. The arrival of Dhruv Sood (Shaheer Sheikh) complicates their lives as he manages to charm his way into both sisters’ hearts, leading to resentment and chaos.
The film introduces police officer Vidya Jyoti Kanwar, played by Kajol, who is assigned to a town where she encounters Saumya, a victim of abuse reluctant to report her husband. The film explores the dynamics of silence in coping with trauma, portrayed by Tanvi Azmi as their foster mother.
While the film’s ambitions are commendable, the execution falls short due to melodrama and artificial tension. The narrative takes liberties for dramatic effect, sacrificing plausibility. Kriti Sanon’s performance shines as she embodies the dual roles convincingly, while Shaheer Sheikh adds depth to the emotional turmoil of the story.
However, Kajol’s portrayal feels lackluster, and other supporting actors like Tanvi Azmi, Brijendra Kala, Vivek Mushran, and Prachee Shah are underutilized in their roles. The film’s production values are top-notch, with polished frames, but the heavy reliance on cinematic liberties is evident, affecting the overall engagement of the audience.
In conclusion, “Do Patti” is a mixed bag, with Kriti Sanon’s performance standing out as a highlight. While the film is watchable, it leaves room for improvement in terms of narrative coherence and character development. The metaphorical title, “Two Cards,” adds a poetic touch to the story but may come too late in the film to fully captivate the audience. Ultimately, the film raises questions about the filmmakers’ choices and the potential for a more refined storytelling approach.
