Pinky Beauty Parlour review: ‘Pinky Beauty Parlour’ clearly shows that “Beauty Lies in the Eyes of the Beholder,” as Plato famously stated. This film focuses on the plight of young women with dark complexion who face discrimination and insults as a result of their skin colour. It’s no secret that our society is obsessed with fair skin, which has a negative impact on many people. And it is well conveyed in this 112-minute film.
The story takes place in Lanka, a small town in Varanasi, and revolves around two sisters—Pinky (Sulagna Panigrahi), who is fair, and Bulbul (Khushboo Gupta), who is dark-skinned. They have been compared since childhood, which is difficult for Bulbul to bear, especially after hearing the same words over and over again, “rang daba hua hain sawali hain bichari,” and “yeh dono toh behene hi nahi lagti.” These lines hit Bulbul hard, but she stays strong and manages her beauty parlour to support her employees and her sister’s career. But life isn’t easy and has other plans for her.
Writer-director Akshay Singh’s film’s biggest strength is its screenplay and simple storytelling, making it easy for individuals who have been in comparable situations to relate to. The story is engaging from the start and makes you think about how what we say carelessly can have a tremendous impact on others. The dialogues are simple and relatable, similar to what we generally use in everyday conversations.
The believable performances and small-town setting add to the authenticity. Sulagna Panigrahi looks pretty and desirable as Pinky. Khushboo Gupta’s character of a dark-skinned girl bravely facing the critical eyes of the world makes you sympathise. Dulaal, played by Akshay Singh, has a significant impact on both sisters’ lives. Jogi Mallang and Vishwanath Chatterjee’s cop combo adds levity to the otherwise intense story. The rest of the cast plays their part well.
Gagandeep Singh’s cinematography masterfully portrays Varanasi’s settings, with a special emphasis on street food, lending authenticity to the story of small-town girls who make their living via Parlour. And while songs like ‘Talcum Powder’ and ‘Sahmi Sahmi’ are meaningful, they fade away as soon as the film ends.
All said, ‘Pinky Beauty Parlour’ is a must-watch for people who are running after fairness creams, expensive treatments, and whatnot to match people’s expectations. But remember, none of these matter if you don’t have a good heart. And this is well stated throughout the film, making it worthwhile to watch.
