Director: Manoj Sati

Cast: Mithun Chakraborty, Aftab Shivdasani, Myraa Sareen, Anita Raj, Zakir Hussain, Jaya Prada, Advik Mahajan, Ashwani Kapoor

Where to Watch: ZEE5

Riwaj, now streaming on ZEE5, talks about the controversial issue of Triple Talaq, focusing on the plight of women in the practice. In real-life-based cases, the film is about Zainab Shaikh (Myraa Sareen), a lady who does not accept an unjust divorce and fights for her dignity. While the film has a strong social message, its approach is not biting enough to have a lasting impact.

A Tale of Treachery and Defiance

Marriage-pressure Zainab soon comes to know that her husband Hanif (Aftab Shivdasani) and his kin treat her only as a maid. She bears physical and emotional torture, to which her in-laws also go to the extent of terminating her pregnancies by force. If she finally finds time to step into her parents' house in search of comfort, Hanif sends her a letter with words "Talaq, Talaq, Talaq," cutting ties with her with a stroke.

Betrayed and broken-hearted, Zainab does not accept this destiny. But when she carries the fight to the court, she finds opposition from within her own society and legal obstacles that seem insurmountable. That's when Ramzan Qadir (Mithun Chakraborty), an experienced lawyer, intervenes to pursue her case, spouting some of the movie's strongest dialogues. When asked on the abolishment of Triple Talaq, he strongly expresses, "Even Allah does not like divorce."

Powerful Performances and Impactful Dialogues

Myraa Sareen is excellent as Zainab, portraying her hurt, anger, and resolve with depth. Even after sharing screen space with the likes of Mithun Chakraborty and Jaya Prada, she doesn't fail to impress. Some of her lines have a lasting impact, including: "Whenever they want, they divorce us; whenever they want, they apologize and start talking about marriage again.", "I swear, I will shatter the arrogance of men like you." And "Regardless of whether a man or a woman gives divorce, the family suffers the most."

Mithun Chakraborty gives a strong performance as Zainab's lawyer and mentor, lending weight to the courtroom scenes. Aftab Shivdasani plays the villain convincingly, making his character loathsome.

A Powerful Message with Flaws in Execution

Riwaj is a movie with a strong social message regarding women's rights and justice. Although the screenplay was not as engaging and the legal struggle not as detailed as it should have been, the movie still succeeds in hitting an emotional note. Myraa Sareen's spirited performance and Mithun Chakraborty's authoritative presence make it a watch worth your while. If you like movies that point out social causes, Riwaj is a must-watch on ZEE5.

Rating: 3.5/5