I have some reservations with the title of the film- why name it Mardaani when the whole film relies on a female protagonist and trying to extend the power to females? The title transmits sentiments of strength, but naming it "Mardaani" is kind of snatching the power from women's belt by conveying "if you are strong, you are mard". Sexist? May be.
But that's just a small complaint. I am surprised by the film entirely, save for the unacceptably silly climax. The film is written so smartly that its hard to be distracted even for a second. The film never really adds any sub-plots to cook it up and that's why "Mardaani" hits the nail in its 115 minutes run time.
The film is intrusive, hard-hitting and insightful and the director deploys the best of his aesthetics to amalamagate everything into his film. Look how unusually sets up the story without making any brouhaha by adding any aesthetics. He knows he has a story and hence he didn't really fall for any cinematic liberty.
The episodes one after the other catches the attention and it involves you in the sentiments of victims. Brutality, thrills and drama is blended so well that the film remains coherent almost throughout.
Although the climax really could have been more real especially because the whole film is executed pretty much with maturity. And yes, the emotional turmoil of Rani Mukherjee and her husband should have been concentrated upon.
Sarkar narrates the story within a smart flow and never going for flashback gimmicks to cover any bankruptcy, because there's hardly any.
Mukherjee knocks it out of the park. She brings so many emotions to her character that you feel connected to her and hoot for her. Its a very restrained performance and that is what works immensely in her favor. Kanagana's performance in Queen has got some real competition here. Not to forget the sinistrous villain portrayal by the young Tahir Bashin. He is constatly been referred as "Junior" in the film but he does commendable job.
Barring few nitpickings, Mardaani encompasses through unfortunate incidents of sex trafficking and does a justice to the topic. It throws surprises not just in terms of writing but in almost all departments. Its not really the kind of film I would like to watch again, because its hard to. But for its sheer audacity and bold execution, it deserves a must-watch status.
3.5/5
But that's just a small complaint. I am surprised by the film entirely, save for the unacceptably silly climax. The film is written so smartly that its hard to be distracted even for a second. The film never really adds any sub-plots to cook it up and that's why "Mardaani" hits the nail in its 115 minutes run time.
The film is intrusive, hard-hitting and insightful and the director deploys the best of his aesthetics to amalamagate everything into his film. Look how unusually sets up the story without making any brouhaha by adding any aesthetics. He knows he has a story and hence he didn't really fall for any cinematic liberty.
The episodes one after the other catches the attention and it involves you in the sentiments of victims. Brutality, thrills and drama is blended so well that the film remains coherent almost throughout.
Although the climax really could have been more real especially because the whole film is executed pretty much with maturity. And yes, the emotional turmoil of Rani Mukherjee and her husband should have been concentrated upon.
Sarkar narrates the story within a smart flow and never going for flashback gimmicks to cover any bankruptcy, because there's hardly any.
Mukherjee knocks it out of the park. She brings so many emotions to her character that you feel connected to her and hoot for her. Its a very restrained performance and that is what works immensely in her favor. Kanagana's performance in Queen has got some real competition here. Not to forget the sinistrous villain portrayal by the young Tahir Bashin. He is constatly been referred as "Junior" in the film but he does commendable job.
Barring few nitpickings, Mardaani encompasses through unfortunate incidents of sex trafficking and does a justice to the topic. It throws surprises not just in terms of writing but in almost all departments. Its not really the kind of film I would like to watch again, because its hard to. But for its sheer audacity and bold execution, it deserves a must-watch status.
3.5/5
