Aug 21, 2024 02:50 PM
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1. The Narrative:
VEDAA introduces us to the cruelest form of caste discrimination through the central character Vedaa, a Dalit girl portrayed by debutante Sharvari Wagh, who is discriminated against for no other reason than belonging to the lower caste, and is depicted in the movie by Maya. This role has been portrayed by John Abraham who plays an aggressive major Abhimanyu Kanwar, a banned officer who comes across vedaa and guides her. The movie also reveals how Veda’s submission to traditions have forced her into tolerating being treated as a subordinate or being assaulted by an upper cast woman for water or being a silent spectator to an act of violence. As the story progresses Major Abhimanyu starts teaching Vedaa boxing against directors wishes because he sees her never surrendering attitude. In this case, conflict arises when the same people who caused the death of her brother turn their sights on Vedaa and she has literally and metaphorically have to fight to remain alive and preserve her integrity.
2. The Insights:
VEDAA is a strong film about the caste violence and contains the action and passionate drama parts. Nikhil Advani who has made romantic dramas in the past, like Kal Ho Naa Ho, turns on his creative side to put up a totally different kind of drama that can be termed as intense and a pause for thought. It is rather refreshing to see John Abraham portraying a muscular character, but he is not just muscles and brawn; he is brains as well. The lead, Sharvari Wagh, has essayed her character extremely well and is a treat to watch her take on the various shades of the character – the frailty and the strength both. The screenplay is entertaining with such a story that includes intense and socially charged aspects of life, backed up with action and dramatic intensity. But even if it opens with the lengthy text that is supposed to soften the blow, the film could not be more real when it comes to the depiction of systemized oppression.
3. VEDAA’s Winning Elements:
Performances: Of course, John Abraham and Sharvari Wagh are the soul of this picture. Abraham has this action hero personality although he is more subtle in this film and Wagh’s acting is powerful and convincing and you want her to succeed at whatever she is doing at any given time.
Direction & Screenplay: This is the reason why Nikhil Advani’s direction suits the movie to the core wherein one can have the best of both – thriller and a thought provoking. Screenplay is good, full of speeches and scenes that I was thinking about after leaving the cinema for quite a while.
Social Commentary: That is why the movie doesn’t deny the fact that the caste system is also cruel and has shameful moments in its existence. It engages the views to face the facts of these social vices, which makes the movie both timely and influential.
Attention to Detail: It is these things – the minor aspects of life depicted in the film, the everyday suffering of the lower castes, that make VEDAA effective. They create the extra layer to the film that makes me feel like I could actually be a part of what I am watching.
4. Final Thoughts:
VEDAA is not just a smashes and thumps action movie type, it is more a statement on Caste system type of discrimination through dramatics played to the gallery. John Abraham and Sharvari Wagh have given a splendid performance and the script also has been good enough to keep one on the edge. Due to the depicted social injustice and the realistic view on it, the film is shocking and important at the same time, which makes it memorable. Although the initially rather unappetizing disclaimer, VEDAA is definitely worth watching for those, who, in search of an entertaining but with a meaningful message, film.
