Qala is one of those films which makes you feel books are better than films. It is just so difficult to tune everything to the same frequency the cinematography, acting, pacing, storytelling, music(which is top-notch in this one btw.) etc. It could have been one fine mystery short story, but of course, how would we have gotten the great album then?
I don't have much problem with its slow pacing because it picks up in 2nd half, and I am used to slow-paced films. What bothered me the most was the monotonicity.
Playing the role of a child who has a disturbing childhood and is continuously deprived of her mother's attention and love despite being a single child is not easy, even for someone who has done a dozen films, let alone a new actor. And it did prove a bit too much for Tripti Dimri(Qala). She's cute, but her expressions in the film are primarily scared (that too in a weird way) or terrified. Very sorry to say, but Babil Khan(Jagan) was not up to the mark either. I absolutely loved the bits with Sunil Grover(he's an absolute gem) and his thoughtful dialogue:
". . . Par daur badlega. Daur ki ye puraani aadat hai."
Apart from music, the colour grading is very beautiful, which complements the dark aspects of the film industry. The shooting locations and photography are great too.
