Shefali Shah is a woman of extraordinary talent. She has been part of the industry for nearly three decades now. With her recent release Three of Us on Netflix, she has been receiving immense praise for her role. Over the years, she has been receiving praise for her amazing acting skills. One of her notable releases in recent years is definitely Darlings co-starring Alia Bhatt and Vijay Varma.
The Netflix original, Darlings was released on August 5, 2022. It brings to light the story of Badrunissa Ansari Shaikh (Alia Bhatt), a victim of domestic abuse in her Mumbai chawl. It is written by Parveez Sheikh and Jasmeet K. Reen, and directed by Jasmeet herself. Darlings is a black comedy that takes a stark look at the intense dynamics of an abusive marriage. It is set against the backdrop of lower-middle-class struggles.
Darlings plot, central characters and more
The film introduces us to Badru and her husband, Hamza Shaikh, a ticket collector with Indian Railways. From the onset, their marriage is revealed to be marred by alcoholism and brutal physical abuse. Badru’s mother, Shamshunissa Shaikh, played by Shefali Shah, is aware of the abuse and urges her daughter to leave Hamza.
As the story unfolds, Badru becomes pregnant, only for tragedy to strike. When Hamza, suspects infidelity, he violently confronts her, leading to her losing the child. Fueled by grief and a desire for revenge, Badru decides to confront Hamza and take matters into her own hands.
Why does Badru want Hamza to sign the deal with the builder?
Darlings also delves into the urban development and gentrification landscape in Mumbai, with Hamza becoming the lone holdout in a building marked for redevelopment. Badru implores Hamza to sign the deal, envisioning a brighter future in a new building equipped with modern amenities. This subplot sheds light on the socio-economic struggles faced by the characters and the broader impact of urbanization on the lives of the underprivileged.
In the climactic moments, Badru, with the help of Shamshu, Zulfi, and a local butcher, plans to stage Hamza’s death as a suicide on a railway track. However, as she decides to eventually free him. She makes the daring decision to ask Hamza to leave her instead of resorting to murder.
Darlings ending explained: Does Badru kill Hamza?
Hamza who is shocked by Badru’s question tries to stand back up. However, he is accidentally struck by a passing train. The revelation that follows is both shocking and intense. Shamshu then confesses to Badru that she had killed Badru’s father in self-defense due to his abusive behavior towards Shamsu.
Ultimately, Hamza’s death is considered a suicide. Badru finally finds herself free from the clutches of an abusive marriage. The film concludes with Badru breaking the cycle of abuse, choosing to empower herself and pursue a life beyond the torment she endured.
The narrative also briefly touches on Zulfi’s unrequited love for Shamshu, challenging the assumptions made by Hamza about Badru’s relationships. This subplot further adds depth to the characters and reinforces the film’s theme of not judging people based on preconceived notions.
