After making it to newspaper
headlines and screaming talk shows, the Aarushi murder case makes it yet again
to news – this time at the theatres. Fortunately this time round the script is
by the greatly talented Vishal Bharadwaj and is directed with great poise by
Meghana Gulzar, who at the right time seems to have taken over the genetic
reins.
The story is all too well known to warrant any repeat. It is the narration that
requires to be mentioned, viewed and experienced. It is not often that a Hindi
film maker takes you through a whodunit with such command and keeps you engaged
in the twists and turns. The added disadvantage that the film maker starts off
with is that the story has been told in such minute detail before the first
scene was shot.
Meghana after the initial promise in Filhaal and the major hiccups with Just
Married, decides to deal with a nail biting narration on the Aarushi murder
case and its investigation. She does it with such taut style that the narrative
never wanders into the irrelevant. Yes you do get the feel that the Tabu trail
is added in labour.
She tells the various versions of what could have happened that disastrous
night. She tells even more. She speaks of police insensitivities, media over
drive, middle class complacence and moralistic stances. Above all she gives you
a picture of a tragedy that a couple faces in the many layers they get embroiled.
One version deals with how the police investigating the murder including
Inspector Dhaniram Chaurasiya (Gajraj Rao) have their theory in place and then
backward engineer the investigation. They decide that this is honour killing as
the dad Ramesh Tandon (Neeraj Kabhi) reacts violently when he sees his domestic
help Khempal in a compromising position with his adolescent daughter Shruti
(Ayesha Praveen). This tale depicts how pathetic our system works and how
insensitive our investigating agencies are. The manner in which the guy with
his fads including the ring tone of his cell phone unmindful of the place it
rings is a very realistic depiction of the times we live in and more
particularly the insensitivity of the local police and yet how they have a vice
like grip over the citizen. Meghana could not have got nearer to the truth.
The second version is that investigated by the hesitant investigator Ashwin
(Irfan Khan) and his deputy Vedant Mishra (Sohum Sharma). This version deals
with the other plausible version of the investigation: fingers pointing at
Khanaiya (Sumit Gulati) a paramedical at the clinic and his friend Rajpal (who
nurtures love for the victim). Was it simply a case of alcohol getting the
better of a young life?
The third version returns to the first with the retirement of Ramakant (Prakash
Belwari) the bureau chief and how the internal intrigues of the powers that be
change the course of investigation. Paul (Atul Kumar) comes to investigate the
trail in the manner his boss wants him to. Interestingly mid-way we have Vedant
Mishra willing to change his loyalties and reasoning at the threshold of a
promotion and career advancement.
There is then that wonderful finale where the conflicting teams put up their
story and the impatient judge orders the charge sheet to be filed. Do not miss
the last half hour of the film. It is arguably one of the best we have seen in
a while told with intelligence and honesty. Also watch the film for some
wonderful performances from the predictably great Irfan Khan to the lesser
known like Sohum Sharma, Prakash Belwadi, Gajraj Rao, Sumit Gulati. Above all
the film is the triumph of a script and a crew that is committed to it. Kudos
to Vishal and Meghna Gulzar.
Rating : 3 stars
+ Script, cast and crew.
– Imbalance in narration
L. Ravichander.