Stree

There are many beliefs and old conceptions in society which are realistically believable according to people and they have been made a part of reality by men in society. There has been mythical reality or can say ancestral worshiping or karmic debt of ancestors which is to be paid by next generation and educated mass follows such beliefs realistically in their life but not a single film is made on such realistic issues and that goes contrary to such a film made on myth and that too in Comedy Horror Film Genre. Here Stree portrayal is shown such a way that it becomes obstacle and mysterious and it takes away charm of a single moral message with it. There are many things lying at surface level of society as a part of beliefs which have never been drawn into attention though they are directly concerned with mental conditioning of people. Their reality depiction has never been done in any film and therefore the criticism part is only as an explorer of real element in film and not as an entertainer.

Based on a strange occurrences of a female ghost and coming back as an evil spirit on the days of Durga Pooja Festival give answer to preference of a particular time and it is like her spirit’s elevation on that time of Sandhya Aarati. Discussing and penning down storyline will be unfair to future entertainers. 

This is indigestible attempt to see a comedy horror film made for entertainment just to show way of looking towards women and that hasn’t changed in India. At the first glance before watching film it seemed that a Stree may have been portrayed from general and unreconstructed perspective with comic and humorous mood and assumption behind the storyline was like, “A Stree may have been considered a goddess or a mother but she has also been considered a Daayan who could have all evility to be like a Witch”. It also gave a thought that either Stree may have been portrayed in a satirical way to show feminist side, her empowerment, preconceived conditioning of society or storyline will bring out a deconstructive conception behind it.

Purgation and catharsis cannot take place as any absorption on the part of viewers because it is conflicting between horror and comic element. Horror films revolve around themes like good v/s evil, suppression of desires and it generally philosophies existence of evil spirit like soul when worse is done to somebody.

Stree is not a film for those who explore realism and logic in paranormal activities. It is just an entertainment without proper logic as it neither shows paranormal truth nor supernatural power in convincing way. It is neither a satirical comedy nor a farce because it is showing something very significant or serious which can be dealt in serious manner but it is not shown in organized way. It gives nonsense humorous touch that keeps audience entertained.

Viewers will be unfulfilled who come to watch film from the perspective of supernatural and paranormal element. On contrary it is based on a myth 'Nale Ba' which shows arrival of evil spirit in form of a scary woman who is a bridal ghost and takes away males with her. Storyline full of entertaining aspects shows little improvisation and depicts a woman who would expect recognition and respect from society but being a prostitute her love as well as her man’s genuine acceptance of a prostitute as a wife can’t be suffered.

Film is not intended to show myth properly and it doesn’t prove any faith and reason for it. It is only an entertainment pack that shows occurrences and existence of Nale Ba in Chanderi.

It is the first Bollywood film that gives viewers humorous supernatural piece but fact behind it is utter downfall in expectation of reality. It neither threatens viewers properly nor makes them laugh sincerely. It is entertainment for entertainment’s sake.

Along with good v/s evil concept, it also concerns myth v/s reality but it remains charm for viewers who come to theatre for getting entertained by a film that shows utter comic and horror element wherein meaning of supernatural and paranormal truth is absolutely not an intention of director or story writer. It is like dark humour and light message with nuisance and normal lingual comedy.

This kind of film will be mental exercise for realists for whom reality check becomes difficult and it asks fundamental questions like: “Where does myth lie and where does that belief come from?” Realistic viewers will find it difficult to handle horror and comic element together because it is blend between humorous satire and comic touch.

Bottomless illogical and low lingual comic plot is visible such a way that it is eye catching for realists to find problem in presence of “Stree” and female protagonist (believed to be Stree) and a man who is adversely affected by Stree- spirit. Techniques of disappearances and appearances are not well managed and they create illogicality in the minds of viewers at the end when revelation is done. There are many unreasonable elements that don’t let viewers get connected with logic and make them find fault in storyline and that happens when one relates other paranormal films with this one.

The fundamental question is about distinction between paranormal law and supernatural bit and it too carries out next question if myth can be reality. Realists would look for it to know.

“If myth is there, belief is there, if belief is there, faith parallelly goes with it”. If that is beyond scientific discovery, can we question myth or supernaturalism? If it can be explored, it is paranormal and if encounters and experiences are concerned, it is reality. Comic elements break serious elements in film. For realists shallowness is enhancing when a woman’s suppressed desire is counted as unfulfilled love making desire and it is nonsensically shown in humorous way and annoyance humorously spreads out among viewers. 

Hero’s illegitimacy shows brothel culture in small towns of India and that becomes quite contradictory to big town’s strip clubs in present scenario. In spite of researching of myth and its verifiability by characters, exploration through a book in library, everything seems a futile attempt which leads audiences nowhere and does not prove logic in veracity.

Fulfilment of suppressed desires is the only positive result in paranormal occurrences. This is a film which has paranormal bit and societal myth together and that is why reality issue is expected somehow. Unbelievable thing is female protagonist seems to be an incarnation of Stree and that supernatural spirit exists within her.