Love Sitara Review: Sobhita Dhulipala Shines In This Family Drama With Depth And Emotion

Love Sitara is a beautifully written and directed family drama that delves into the complexities of relationships and the secrets families keep from one another.

Love Sitara Review: Every happy family is alike, but every unhappy family is unique in its own way. Is your family happy, or is it hiding something beneath the surface? This film explores the idea that families often keep secrets, either out of necessity or to protect each other's happiness. 'Sitara' suggests that a truly happy family is one where members don’t judge one another but instead understand and accept each other’s happiness.

The film also raises the question—why do OTT platforms often fail to promote good films like 'Sitara', while mediocre content receives much more attention? Films like 'Love Sitara' deserve love and recognition.

Plot:

The story centers around Sitara, played by Sobhita Dhulipala, an interior designer who discovers she is pregnant. She proposes to her boyfriend Arjun (Rajeev Siddhartha) without revealing her pregnancy. Interestingly, three years earlier, she had turned down Arjun’s marriage proposal, telling him she didn’t want children because it could damage her ovaries.

Sitara and Arjun head to her grandmother’s (B. Jayashree) house to announce their marriage plans. The family includes her mother Lata (Virginia Rodrigues), father Govind (Sanjay Bhatia), and aunt Hema (Sonali Kulkarni). None of them know about her pregnancy, but as the film progresses, we learn that each family member has their own secrets. These hidden truths gradually come to light, creating a compelling narrative that the audience will fully understand by watching the movie on Zee5.

How is the film?

'Love Sitara' might start off slow, but don't be discouraged by the first 15 minutes. Once the film picks up pace, it takes you deep into the complexities of relationships, where we all find ourselves entangled. Often, we hide things from our own family out of fear of judgment, which only worsens situations. This film might make you feel a tinge of guilt if you’ve ever been involved in an extramarital affair or kept secrets from your family. At the same time, it may inspire you to be more truthful with your loved ones. 

At 1 hour and 45 minutes, the film packs a strong emotional punch. Each character has their own backstory, their own struggles, and their own existence. As you get to know them, you start to feel the weight of their emotions and the duality of their lives. Especially for women, the film highlights how they often carry a facade in public, while hiding deeper emotions and struggles within. It’s a film that’s worth watching for these insights alone.

Performances:

This is Sobhita Dhulipala’s career-best performance. While an actor’s true potential should always remain hidden for future roles, there’s no denying that Sobhita deserves all the praise she’s receiving. She looks stunning in both modern attire and traditional saris, and her screen presence is captivating. She brings a mature depth to Sitara’s character.

Rajeev Siddhartha delivers a commendable performance as Sitara’s boyfriend. Sonali Kulkarni, in the role of Sitara’s aunt Hema, shines with her natural portrayal of the character, while B. Jayashree is delightful as the grandmother. She will make you laugh with her open discussions about taboo subjects like sex. Virginia Rodrigues and Sanjay Bhatia also provide strong support, contributing to the ensemble cast’s effectiveness.

Writing and Direction:

The writing team—Sonia Bahl, Vandana Kataria, Hussain Dalal, and Abbas Dalal—deserves immense credit for the film’s success. In just 1 hour and 45 minutes, they manage to give depth to every character and explore their stories with care. The writing allows the audience to truly feel the weight of each character’s secrets and emotions.

Vandana Kataria, who directs the film, is its real hero. This is her second directorial effort after *Noblemen*, and her skill is on full display here. Without relying on melodrama or loud emotional outbursts, she tells a restrained, balanced story. Every character is given equal importance, and the film showcases how a well-crafted narrative can be presented with finesse.

Final Verdict:

Love Sitara is a beautifully written and directed family drama that delves into the complexities of relationships and the secrets families keep from one another. It will make you reflect on your own family dynamics and perhaps even inspire you to be more open with your loved ones. Despite a slow start, the film offers a rewarding experience as it builds into an emotionally engaging story. The performances, particularly by Sobhita Dhulipala, are outstanding, and the writing is top-notch.

This film deserves much more attention than it has received and is definitely worth a watch. It reminds us that true happiness in a family lies in understanding and accepting each other without judgment.