Little Box of Sweets

There’s some eye-catching photography of northern India’s parched plains in Maneka Das’s debut as writer and director, but other than that, it’s difficult to see why this wispy and toothless melodrama has been given a release in cinemas. The story comprises a checklist of clichés about domineering patriarchs, forbidden love and uncertain futures with Das staring as Asha, a servant girl living with grandparents who wants the opportunity to go to university with her best friend Lalli (Sheenu Das).

Her relationship with the dashing, rebellious Seth (Joe Anderson) is complicated by the interference of his pushy commissioner father and, as they try desperately to consummate their love, it all comes to a predictably teary head. It’s a dull, if competently made, film, which is done no favours by its earnest tone, a soppy orchestral score and a slew of artificial performances by actors clinging far too tightly to their lines. It would be far better suited to daytime TV.