Love, Sitara, the latest family drama directed by Vandana Kataria, brings a heartfelt yet flawed narrative to the screen, starring the ever-talented Sobhita Dhulipala in the titular role. Streaming on ZEE5, the film explores themes of generational trauma, love, and the complexities of family dynamics. While the movie sets out with great ambition, aiming to offer a deep exploration of relationships and the skeletons in the closet, it ultimately falters, leaving much to be desired.
Plot Overview
Set against the picturesque backdrop of Kerala, Love, Sitara tells the story of Tara (Sobhita Dhulipala), a fiercely independent interior designer, and Arjun (Rajeev Siddhartha), a rising star in the culinary world. Their relationship is tested when Tara unexpectedly discovers she’s pregnant—a twist that initiates a series of emotional and familial upheavals. As the couple travels to Kerala for their impending wedding, long-buried family secrets start to unravel. The movie becomes a canvas for exploring the struggles of modern relationships intertwined with the weight of generational expectations.
Tara’s family is a central element in the film, including her mother Latha (Virginia Rodrigues), her father Govind (Sanjay Bhutiani), and her aunt Hema (Sonali Kulkarni). What initially appears to be a happy family gathering for a wedding soon transforms into a narrative filled with revelations about infidelity, premarital pregnancy, and strained relationships. Through these revelations, Love, Sitara attempts to balance the expectations of family life with individual struggles.
Themes and Performances
One of the film’s main themes is the interplay between personal and familial identity. Tara’s internal conflicts over her pregnancy and the looming wedding are mirrored by the dysfunctional family dynamics around her. The tension between generations becomes palpable, and secrets from the past threaten to disrupt the present. The film highlights the complexity of love and forgiveness, asking whether love truly conquers all, or if some wounds are too deep to heal.
Sobhita Dhulipala delivers a compelling performance as Tara. Known for her nuanced portrayals in Made in Heaven, she once again plays a character grappling with complex emotions. Her portrayal of a modern woman torn between her career, personal desires, and familial responsibilities anchors the film. Dhulipala’s ability to convey vulnerability and strength in equal measure helps elevate an otherwise inconsistent script.
Sonali Kulkarni also stands out as Tara’s aunt, Hema. Her character, who is dealing with her own romantic struggles, provides an additional layer to the family’s already tangled web of relationships. However, the film misses an opportunity to explore Hema’s storyline in greater depth. Instead, her character feels underdeveloped, which is a recurring issue with the film’s broader narrative.
A Flawed Narrative Execution
Despite strong performances, Love, Sitara stumbles in its execution. The narrative is packed with heavy themes like infidelity, familial betrayal, and personal trauma, yet it fails to explore them with the nuance and emotional depth they deserve. Many of the plot points feel rushed, and conflicts that should have been thoroughly examined are resolved too quickly. For instance, Tara’s confrontation with her family over past betrayals is dealt with in a matter of minutes, leaving the audience wanting more resolution and reflection.
The film also struggles with pacing. At just over 105 minutes, the film tries to tackle too many issues, from generational trauma to modern love, without giving any one topic the attention it needs. As a result, emotional beats that should have been impactful instead feel diluted. The film’s tendency to sweep major conflicts under the rug in favor of a feel-good resolution leaves viewers disconnected from the characters and their struggles.
Another notable shortcoming is the film’s handling of its setting. While the lush landscapes of Kerala provide a beautiful backdrop, the portrayal of local culture feels forced. Characters speaking Malayalam, despite not being native speakers, adds an awkwardness to the dialogue that distracts from the film’s emotional core. This misstep further detracts from the film’s authenticity, making it feel like a story that could have benefited from a different geographical and cultural context.
Visuals and Direction
Visually, Love, Sitara is stunning. The film makes excellent use of Kerala’s scenic beauty, and the cinematography effectively captures the warmth and intimacy of family life, despite the chaos simmering beneath the surface. Director Vandana Kataria deserves credit for creating a visually cohesive film that mirrors the emotional complexity of its characters.
However, Kataria’s direction is hampered by an uneven script. Written by Sonia Bahl, Hussain Dalal, and Abbas Dalal, the screenplay tries to do too much in too little time. What could have been a deep dive into family dynamics and personal growth is instead a surface-level exploration, with many themes left underdeveloped. The rushed resolution further weakens the film’s impact, leaving viewers unsatisfied.
Conclusion and Rating
In the end, Love, Sitara is a film that had the potential to be a meaningful exploration of modern love and family complexities but falls short due to its inconsistent narrative and rushed pacing. While Sobhita Dhulipala’s performance shines, and the film has moments of emotional resonance, the overall experience feels underwhelming. The film’s tendency to gloss over deeper issues and its reliance on convenient resolutions prevent it from reaching its full potential.
Rating: 2.5/5. Love, Sitara is a watchable family drama with strong performances, but it lacks the depth and nuance needed to make it truly memorable.
