Clever use of satire in ‘Love Story’

angle. Keshav is a 36-year-old bachelor who can’t get married as his traditionalist father believes he has been born under an inauspicious star according to his astrological chart.

To remove some of the negativity associated with it, he has to first marry a cow, which he does and then find a woman with two thumbs on her left hand, as his bride. Only then will the curses be lifted.

But when Keshav meets the feisty, strong-willed and educated Jaya, he is smitten.

He runs the family cycle business with his younger brother, Naru, and while not as formally educated as Jaya, has a wealth of knowledge as well.

After a cat-and-mouse courtship, with the tables being turned romantically and the wool pulled over his father’s eyes, they marry. But as soon as Jaya is invited by the ladies in the village to join them on their daily predawn visit to relieve themselves in the field, she tackles Keshav and the status quo. To appease Jaya, he devises a number of hare-brained schemes to provide her with an acceptable means of relieving herself. But when these eventually fail, she leaves home vowing only to return once a toilet is installed.

The presence of a wonderfully talented cast is a boon as they offer strong performances. And the supporting roles are well cast and acted.

Anshuman Mahaley’s excellent cinematography in rural India is an asset and while the music score is good, there are too many songs. More judicious editing needed.

Despite the flaws, there is a great deal to savour and ultimately the film is a brave attempt to tell an important story about the plight of women in parts of India.