No doubt Anubhav Sinha's Thappad (Slap) is one of the most important Bollywood films in recent times. A powerfully feminist film addressing domestic abuse, it is on par with his earlier Mulk and Article 15, both compelling films on pressing issues. It carries forward the feminist concerns of recent Bollywood films, including Pink, Chhapaak and Panga, as well as thoughtful, recent films in other languages, including Rosshan Andrrews' Prathi Poovankozhi (Accused: Rooster, Malayalam), Manu Ashokan's Uyare (High, also Malayalam), and Abhishek Shah's Hellaro (Gujarati), all of which released last year.

Thappad is about a devoted wife Amrita (Taapsee Pannu), whose husband Vikram (Pavail Gulati) slaps her publicly at a party, on learning that his promotion has been cancelled. Amrita's response is shock, then withdrawal; she retreats to her mother's home for some headspace. She talks it over with her parents and firmly concludes that she wants a divorce, because she does not deserve to be slapped. Not. Even. One. Slap. An acrimonious legal battle follows. But Amrita holds on to her morally superior position with dignity and resolve, because she wants nothing from her husband at all. Other than intangibles, respect and a divorce—not alimony or property—but she realises respect is what she must give herself first.