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Qala


Anvita Dutt, is a master story teller. And she, tells this one well too. She and Kanika Dillon have a knack of painting their leading ladies in shades of grey. Whilst Kanika brings in the whacky and the wild, Anvita brings in the angst.
It makes for great entertainment. 

This movie seeps in slowly and is for those of you who like the slow burn. There is drama and angst and tragedy and it leaves you wondering, what did I just watch? Was this a movie or sheer art? And it is a movie that stays with you for a bit. 

The visuals are stunning, particularly those of the boat on the water. The noir-ish feel of the movie fits the mood perfectly. One does know what has happened and why, but the visuals and the artistry keep you in thrall.

This is the story of a woman, who learns to be competitive in her mother's womb itself. Her quest for survival began in the womb itself. She then spends all her childhood and teen years having only her mother and constantly craving her validation. Is it really a surprise then, that she resents pathologically, the possibility that her mother is enamored with the art of another?

The events that follow are thus predictable. Here comes in the story telling and the way that this movie engulfs you.

Mind you, this is Exotic Biriyaani not Maggi which you gulp down and then burp, in fact after this you might not want to burp.
Coz you want to lose nothing (hee hee) and also coz the pace is so gentle and well mannered.

The mother is Swastika Mukherjee, and she is splendid (as is her jewelry), Tripti Dimri is the quintessential child woman, whose only goal in life is to see approval in her mother's eyes. Her descent into madness, is reminiscent of Black Swan.

Her mother advises her that she should have a Pandit preceding her name and not a Bai after it. Loved that, also liked the gentle nudge to pay parity and the me too movements. 

Amit Sial kills it and Sameer Kochhar was easy on the eyes. As was Varun Grover.

I am still confused about Babil though, he does resemble his father, but there wasn't enough of him in this one, to actually make out if he is talented. His character is pretty linear and so wasn't a mark maker. Certain camera angles do make him resemble his father. But I want to wait and watch.

This is a movie, which like a diva is certain of her greatness and hence it tends to preen a bit. But I am inclined to let that bit of vanity go as on the whole I found it a great watch.

The sets and photography are terrific. The entire soundtrack is to die for, and Amit Trivedi is back on track. Nirbhau nirvair is blessed, and if you understand the poetry of it, you will never let it go.
Let me know what you think of it, if you watch it.

Cheers! 

#MiniasReviews
#AllLivesMatter 



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