Tag: meghna gulzar

Chhapaak (2020)

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Meghna Gulzar gives us a brilliant film which compels us to think. Deepika delivers one of her career bests as ‘Malti’, an acid attack victim survivor.

We get to examine what has enabled the crime, the plight of the survivors, the flaws in the legal system and the wonders of medical science.

Exceptional direction and acting makes this not a ‘poke in the eyes to make you cry’ but a ‘stab in the heart to make you think’. The haunting background score helps to further that cause.

It was an emotional and empowering viewing that makes you strongly want to burn away the prejudice.

4/5

Raazi (2018)

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Rarely do you have a taut thriller which doesn’t make any grand statements, but builds drama slowly, without fanfare.

The beauty of this film is how director Meghna Gulzar hasn’t once shown a bias or chosen sides. You see the plot unfold in two households, both are nice and fair with one thing in common, their love for their country. It’s so balanced that you feel for the other without thinking or overprocessing.

Alia Bhatt has taken on a difficult role, bringing out nuances which we haven’t seen yet in her diverse acting range. Her youth is her biggest strength, as she has more time to develop and explore her acting prowess.

Vicky Kaushal plays an understanding sensitive man, ably supported by a stellar cast, all of whom do their part well, without resorting to histrionics.

You walk away from the film strangely diminished, happy for the outcome but sad for the many unsung heroes.

A worthy watch.

3.5/5

Talvar (2015)

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After a long time a gripping murder thriller drama hits the screens. No spoon feeding here ( a la drishyam) and very short scenes which flow fast but give you time to process and lead you to several conclusions.

Irrfan is… What can I say? He is himself. Dependable, real, talented as ever. Carrying out a complicated investigation in the circumstances that his character does, with his perfect reactions, is a treat to watch. Konkona Sen is powerful, has a tricky layered character which she does full justice to.

Megha Gulzar took up the formidable task of putting a real life controversial case on celluloid. Judging by her previous films which were good stories but didn’t get as much commercial success, this one is running house full and is a totally different genre. She keeps it crisp, taut and has a super cast, various supporting characters who do their job wonderfully well. Her capture of politics in the work place, power games and latent corruption are subtle but strong.

All in all you have a rare gem that demands to be seen. The fact that this really happened makes our legal system the scariest thing you would never want to be involved in.

3.5/5