bollywood , Bollywood Reviews , cinema , Drama , film review , Review Kiara Advani shines in “Satyaprem Ki Katha,” raising awareness on a serious social issue Kartik Aaryan , kiara advani , Sajid Nadiadwala Movies , Satyaprem Ki Katha

‘SatyaPrem Ki Katha’, directed by Sameer Vidwans and starring Kiara Advani and Kartik Aaryan, released June 29th, 2023 in theaters worldwide. The film also stars Gajraj Rao, Supriya Pathak Kapur, and Shikha Talsania, and is produced by Namah Pictures and Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment. Trigger warning for the film and the review below: the film deals with issues such as sexual assault, abortion, and violence. 

The film follows the unique love story of SatyaPrem aka Sattu (played by Aaryan) and Katha (played by Advani), while highlighting an incredibly important social issue through the plot of the film: sexual assault done by a romantic partner. 

Although Katha and Sattu are bound together through an arranged marriage, that is not what makes their relationship tenuous. From the beginning of the film, the audience is made aware that Katha is under intense mental stress, yet they are not made privy to exactly what the problem is. It isn’t until the middle of the film that the viewer gets some insight into Katha’s reasoning for being distant from SatyaPrem: her former partner had assaulted her and she had to undergo an abortion. 

It’s quite rare that a mainstream Bollywood film would delve into a topic as sensitive as this one, especially because date-rape cases are rarely ever reported or highlighted even in everyday life. Kiara Advani phenomenally portrays the various emotions that overcome a woman when they have been assaulted by someone who they trusted, and her subtlety while acting adds a realistic element to Katha’s character. Advani’s eyes really tell her story, and there were several times throughout the film that I could feel deep empathy for Katha and what was going through. 

Though Kartik Aaryan has done several films playing the lover-boy next door, Sattu’s character was different, and by the end of the film, he represented what all partners should be: a strong support system for your spouse. Sattu never doubted Katha’s side of the story, nor did he judge her, but instead he stood by her from the second they got married. Towards the end of the film, it’s Sattu who gives her the confidence to take her case to court. Aaryan has the ability to convince viewers of his character’s point-of-view, which is rare, and his performance is outstanding. 

‘SatyaPrem Ki Katha’ is now playing in theaters worldwide, and has done well at the box office!