Anarkali of Arrah reviews: Swara Bhaskar's 'surprise of season'

Friday released, surprise of the season, Swara Bhaskar's 'Anarkali of Arrah' is a step forward in the direction of feminism and female character portrayal. Like Pink, the films forces us to think about the consent of a woman. A woman can't be taken for granted is what the film aims to make people understand. Swara Bhaskar has done well to portray the role of 'Anarkali.' The film is a good watch to let our mindset and opinion be challenged.

Here are some of the reviews: 

Hindustan Times: Anaarkali Of Aarah takes a cue from last year's Pink and takes the discussion forward. Anaarkali of Aarah brings forth a world that's out of focus and needs our attention. Marginalised sections are fighting their own battles in this part of the globe and Anaarkali Of Aarah wants us to be sympathetic to them. Being privy to their emotions doesn't seem a bad idea.

Indian Express: "With Anar, Swara Bhaskar gets a role worthy of her. The film uses lines and situations involving crudity but never turns vulgar. Nowhere does Anaarkali of Aarah makes you cringe, and that's a real achievement."

The Quint: Irrespective of a woman's profession, nature, attire or circumstances, a NO will always mean a NO. Her consent is something that can never be taken for granted. The idea is fantastic, which makes it an important film that has its heart in the right place, but the execution leaves it wobbly in parts. In the small town of Arrah, Anarkali struts around in her blingy lehenga. She isn't an innocent ingenue. Feisty, spirited and an electrifying performer, her naach gaana programmes are hugely sought after. But during one such stage show, when a drunk and politically-connected VC (Sanjay Mishra) gropes her, she decides to fight back instead of cower. As she puts it herself: "hum koi dudh ke dhule nahi hai", but she objects to being touched without her consent. Swara Bhaskar as the uninhibited Anarkali is electrifying. Be it when she sings innuendo laden folk songs and matches her thumkas with the beats or when she plunges headlong into the battle to protect herself.

The Economic Times: 'Anarkali of Arrah' is many things at the same time. It is a shimmering sun-soaked mirror of small town values wherein every sneeze or fart is noted and evaluated across the communities. And yet the story of Anaarkali (Swara Bhaskar, spectacular) is also the story of every woman urban or rural. Lady, you may belong to Aarah or Arizonaa there will always be men who feel they've the birthright to own your body as and when they wish.

Deccan Chronicle: A seductive orchestra singer collides with an army of men notorious for abuse of authority and public lewdness in a small town of Bihar, Arrah, where pants slip all the way down to the ankles just at the accidental sight of a woman’s cleavage. What happens when a sexually-liberated woman finds herself trapped in a land that’s dripped in lawlessness and misogyny of extreme kind is what this film faintly aims at capturing.