Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare is a 2020 Hindi-language film starring Konkona Sen Sharma and Bhumi Pednekar. The comed-drama was directed by Alankrita Shrivastava and produced by Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor under their banner Balaji Telefilms. The film also stars actors Vikrant Massey and Amol Parashar opposite the leading actors.
The film premiered at the 24th Busan International Film Festival under the section “A Window on Asian Cinema” on October 4, 2019. It later debuted on Netflix on September 18, 2020.
In Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare, the story delves into the details of Radha “Dolly” Yadav’s life. It unfolds layers of social expectations, personal desires, and the pursuit of freedom against a background of middle-class existence in Noida.
Why did Dolly sell her jewelry?
Dolly’s facade of a good life with her husband Amit and their two sons masks a struggle to maintain appearances. They particularly struggle with their future move to a new, luxurious apartment. To finance this dream, Dolly resorts to desperate measures. She starts selling her precious jewelry and resorts to embezzlement from her small firm employer. However, Amit remains oblivious to these secret activities, believing their financial situation to be secure.
Enter Kajal, Dolly’s younger cousin from rural Bihar, who arrives in Noida with dreams of city life. Initially, Dolly brushes off Kajal’s discomfort regarding Amit’s inappropriate advances, saying they are mere misunderstandings. However, Kajal finds herself trapped in Dolly’s house due to her lack of qualifications and financial freedom. She starts getting worried and starts looking for a job.
Kajal’s journey turns unexpectedly when she joins a call center for Red Rose Romance, a platform catering to men’s fantasies. Embracing the alias “Kitty,” Kajal navigates the murky waters of phone sex with finesse. Despite the unconventional approach, she finds solace and camaraderie in her newfound independence. She conceals this unconventional occupation from Dolly, fearing judgment from her cousin because she views the work beneath respectable women.
Meanwhile, Dolly grapples with her demons, including a hypoactive sexual desire disorder, which strains her relationship with Amit. Additionally, her younger son Pappu’s inclination towards cross-dressing poses challenges, threatening to disrupt their carefully curated facade of normalcy.
Who were Pradeep and Osmaan?
Kajal forges connections with a man named Pradeep through the Red Rose Romance app. Dolly finds solace in the company of Osmaan, a delivery man and MBA student. Their interactions awaken dormant desires within Dolly, prompting her to confront her dissatisfaction with Amit and her sexuality.
However, their new sense of freedom is short-lived as Kajal’s workplace becomes a target of political goons, resulting in violence and fear. Amidst the chaos, a tragic incident claims the lives of their friends, forcing Dolly to rethink her priorities and take decisive action.
Ultimately, Dolly chooses to separate from Amit, embracing independence and reclaiming agency over her life. With Pappu by her side, she embarks on a journey toward self-discovery and liberation, symbolizing a departure from societal norms and expectations.
Meanwhile, Kajal resolves to empower women by reviving the call center with a new app designed to cater to their desires, marking a significant shift in the female autonomy and empowerment narrative.
As the film draws to a close, Dolly and Pappu embark on a bus ride, echoing Dolly’s journey with her mother and symbolizing a new beginning filled with hope and possibilities.
