Shaadisthan

Arshi is a teenager who turns 18 on the eve of her cousin’s wedding. She starts the journey withdrawn and silent, resisting an arranged match but gradually opening up to the troupe’s warmth. Her emotional arc centers on longing for autonomy while balancing loyalty to her mother and family.

Kamla is Arshi’s mother, torn between love and tradition. She pleads with her daughter over the phone and later with her husband, trying to keep peace while privately questioning the price of upholding societal norms. Her evolving perspective marks a quiet, internal rebellion against oppressive expectations.

Sanjay is the family’s patriarch, initially disapproving of the troupe’s habits and the idea of a marriage dictated by tradition. He feels humiliated when family expectations clash with reality, and his perspective shifts as he witnesses the consequences of rigidity. His journey mirrors the film’s broader challenge to patriarchal norms.

Cholu is Arshi’s cousin who helps arrange the travel and acts as a practical link between the family and the troupe. He embodies the social expectations that bind the family, yet also shows how younger generations negotiate these pressures. His presence moves the plot forward through logistical ties and family dynamics.

Sasha is the lead singer of the troupe—modern, sharp-tongued, and unafraid to call out hypocrisy. She challenges Papaji’s casual dismissal of their music while offering a mirror to Arshi’s longing for freedom. Sasha serves as a catalyst for self-reflection within the family.

Jigme is a courteous member of the music troupe who navigates the family’s questions with tact. He helps maintain warmth and camaraderie on the bus and in the hotel, softening tensions with polite diplomacy.

Tiger hosts the family at his hotel and eventually betrays a troubling lapse in judgment by lacing tea with opium. He embodies the ambivalence of hospitality that can mask moral ambiguities. His actions create a pivotal moment that accelerates the film’s moral reckoning.