The release of a movie has to be timed to perfection. Real world events, off-screen 'drama' involving actors, viral marketing campaigns all lead upto the success of the film at the box office. A bad movie could rake in galleons with right approach. At the same time, a good movie could go bust due to callous handling. But what happens when a carefully marketed film gets an unexpected springboard for free? Behold- "Kahaani" !
The expectation has been high for Vidya Balan's "Kahaani". It is hard to recollect an Indian mainstream film showcasing a female lead actor as its sole highlight, and more, believing it would work. However Vidya Balan has risen to that yet unseen standard and is here to stay.
The film starts with no flourish. It just begins. After a few initial sequences which forms the background for the viewer, we see Vidya Balan who portrays a pregnant Vidya Bagchi alight at the Kolkata airport. She is traveling to police station to report a missing persons case-her husband Arnab Bagchi. Police agrees to investigate and is generous to ask a constable Sathyiki called Rana-his pet name- to offer Vidya travel arrangement to hotel where her husband is said to have been staying. She starts to develop a rapport with the young police constable Rana. From here Vidya takes upto herself in questioning those who must have seen her husband aided at all times by Rana.She travels with Rana to enquire about her husband's past. The office he is said to have worked, the school in which he studied and the village in which his relatives are said to be. Her investigation kicks off a series of events which begins to be fatal to those around her and gradually to Vidya herself. Story takes unexpected twists and turns artfully conceived and thrillingly portrayed ultimately leading upto a finale that would give any of the great Hollywood thrillers a run for their money.
There are many small details that sets the movie apart. One is the pace. Rather than slowing down as in many cases,here, it becomes quicker as the film progresses, thereby keeping us engaged to the end. The director, Sujoy Ghosh, does not go into the hubris of over romanticizing the city of Kolkata. Shots of the city are indeed shown in abundance but one never feel it cry out. Places like the police stations are neatly portrayed without the cliched rough, negligent officer routine. But still keeping in mind the under equipped police with new technology. The sequence where she takes the police officer into confidence by her computer know how is a seemingly unremarkable act yet of finesse.
All the supporting cast blends in with ease. Parambrata Chatterjee playing Rana is immensely lovable. Various child actors too deserves special mention. However the movie does have its goofs in editing which could have been ironed out. The background score and music is not special but agreeable.
The power of the movie lies in the clever storyline and Vidya Balan. Not only the clinching climax but also the innocuous way the story leads up to it. However, without the screen presence that Vidya Balan commands with gusto, the film would have failed to make the impact on the moviegoer which it currently does.
Verdict: Must See.
Rating: 4/5
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