KAHAANI - Just of Vidya, Vidya & Kolkata . Review on Kahaani

In a Cine Hall after Ages. If you thought I was a film critic, seasoned and mature, No! I'm neither! But I know a good film when I see one! So, after about 10 months, I entered a theatre to watch a film, finally. Settling in with a Subway & Juice, it took me a while to come to terms with new age tech! But then, once the lights dimmed and the National Anthem was done, the Kahaani took off!

Story Line. Aaj kal ke film teen cheezon se chalte hain... Vidya Balan, Vidya Balan & Vidya Balan! And yet again, here is a 2-hour Vidya roller coaster which does not leave one with any doubt about the lady's acting prowess. For those still not plastered with the storyline, after every single RJ bragging over it since 9th March 2012, it is about a woman who lands from London into the throng of life called Kolkata, searching for her (missing?) husband! And the lady is Vidya B, a cross between Tamil punctuated Hindi in Bengali land and an acting pro post graduating in sublime and subtle acting genres, while every bit retaining her yumminess even when hobbling around hugely pregnant!

The Pros. Once done gloating over acting skills now going global under the initials of VB, one starts to realize the brilliance of cinematography - from the plain crowds of a metropolis, to the very common, but unobserved sights of everyday life in a bustling city; to the haze that the world becomes when one zooms in to the level of an ordinary human being. One starts sighting the goodness in someone as commonplace and ignored as a policeman; of the radiance that the smile of a young boy can bring; the derisive laughter of a common-motel receptionist at mention of 5-star comfort; 'running water' in its most basic avtar, the enthralling and gripping melodrama and suspense that just playing with lights and some shades of colour can render to a movie watcher, and, some more.

Kolkata, despite the heat, sweat and grime coexisting with the millions, starts to throb with a life of its own, much similar to what we are used to in a more brazen manner, at the financial capital. A tight storyline, which may lead one to believe the story has been uncovered in the first 10 minutes by one's sheer individual 'Agatha Christie' brilliance, but slowly and steadily, grips and retains the hold all the way. When one gets to blink from the incandescence of VB's acting, one notices the truly professional realms in which the other male stars also have shone - the Maa kaKhan, the RanaInspector, Running Water and even the contract killer with the deadpan aam aadmi look! Everyone unites as one in uplifting the movie to enjoyable heights of performance - solo and as a team. The music that hums in the background is never too loud, the tone just right; the colours, even when bright red, seem so right; the tenor of the ikla chalo song plays on the mind 'long after it is heard no more' and Amitabh Bachchan resonates all around from the walls, as you leave! What more can one ask for! No skin show, no frantic pelvic thrusts and dances and no unnecessary item-breaking fight sequences - these further give a touch of reality to the already real street life and throbs of Kolkata.

Cons. What can one say that was bad, or, could have been done better?

There certainly were a few glitches that stood beyond reason (even as innocuous as thanking 'Honorary' CM of Bengal, rather than 'Honourable'; of a 'Captain' introduced in the beginning turning into a 'Colonel' at the end!), but none that cannot be passed off as 'typical Bollywood'. Yes, the last 5 minutes could have been a trifle less melodramatic and Bollywood-esque, but guess one has to give that to the Director.

After all, if the general audience doesn't find any connect at all to a movie like Kahaanibeing Bollywood fare, the BO results may well tank! And infrequent watchers like me would never help break even! So, such minor "Ahem"s may be passed through, I presume!

Recommendation. Shyam says, Go Watch It! For Vidya, for Kolkata, for Red& White, for Durga Puja and just for the sheer passion that every one of the cast brings to the table, watch it, and on the big screen! And until the last 5 minutes land you 'Plonk' back in Bollywood, even forget you are watching a Hindi movie and just lose yourself in the plot!

Yeh ek KahaaniHai, with a twist every 10 minutes. Don't even bother trying to "Go Figure"; just flow with the plot and you shall come out humming "Ikla Chalo Re"!

And, on having made a good movie-goer choice!

My Bet. Best Actress & Best Cinematography of 2012 for this one! And many more tourists to Kolkata!

Kahaani ka ..... The End!

Ciao

Shyam