Patna Shukla

Tanvi Shukla is a lawyer at the lower court and is leading a happy life with her husband and son. One day, Rinki Kumari approaches her to take up her case. Rinki is a 3rd year B. Sc student who believes she had done well yet was failed in the final exam. Tanvi uncovers the truth behind swapping of marks to undeserving candidates and poor underprivileged students being the easy target. Up against the rich and powerful, Tanvi fights for Rinki at the court. Will she be able to get her the justice she deserves and what other secrets get unraveled on the way, forms rest of the story.

The novel story resorts to a pedestrian screenplay filled with several melodramatic moments that make it look like an 90s film. The strength of the film apart from the story being novel is the performances and the actors definitely carry the film through. There is a reason why old school dramas have a way to be captivating even when the writing is deliberate and Patna Shuklla is another example of it. The tactics used by the opponent lawyer and the culprits are as predictable as the leading lady finding a way to continue her fight, yet the court scenes or even the moments her husband supporting her, leave their mark. Overall, Patna Shuklla makes up for a harmless watch, it is old school yet it almost delivers.

"Patna Shuklla" is a truly impactful film with a powerful, life-changing narrative that tackles an issue capable of affecting millions. The central topic-result card tampering-is one of the most devastating frauds a person can experience. Imagine working hard for an entire year, passing your exams, and then discovering that someone has swapped your roll number with theirs, causing all your personal details and performance records to be switched. It's not just unfair-it's heartbreaking.

The film portrays this issue remarkably well, capturing the pain, humiliation, and anger of the lawyer at the heart of the story-a woman who never deserved the struggles thrown at her. Her journey feels like a personal sacrifice, yet despite facing enormous challenges, she perseveres, wins her case, and experiences a thought-provoking twist that changes her life forever. That reveal is both surprising and eye-opening.

It's the story of a lawyer-also a housewife-who rarely gets high-profile cases, yet rises from being an unknown figure to earning the name Patna Shuklla. The progression is inspiring, and the film benefits greatly from avoiding unnecessary songs, making it far tighter and more focused than many other Bollywood offerings.

Overall, this is a strong, socially relevant, and well-told film that deserves attention-not just for its storytelling, but for shedding light on a form of injustice that too often goes unnoticed.

Legal dramas often offer a tantalizing mix of intrigue, moral quandaries, and courtroom theatrics. However, 'Patna Shukla' veers far off course, leaving audiences bewildered and utterly unfulfilled. This cinematic endeavor, purportedly a courtroom drama, fails to deliver even a semblance of coherence or depth.

From the outset, 'Patna Shukla' stumbles, lacking a cohesive plot to anchor its narrative ambitions. The story, if one can call it that, meanders aimlessly, devoid of purpose or direction. Characters drift in and out of scenes, their motivations as murky as the legal proceedings they purportedly navigate.

The courtroom, typically a stage for high-stakes drama and impassioned debates, becomes a mere backdrop for the film's convoluted antics. Instead of the tense exchanges and gripping revelations one might expect, audiences are subjected to a baffling array of disjointed scenes and nonsensical dialogue.

Where 'Patna Shukla' truly falters, however, is in its utter disregard for coherence and logic. Plot points materialize out of thin air, only to vanish just as quickly, leaving gaping holes in the narrative fabric. Attempts at suspense fall flat, as viewers struggle to invest in the fates of characters they scarcely understand.

Despite the valiant efforts of its cast, including performances that deserve better material, 'Patna Shukla' remains a cinematic misfire of epic proportions. Even the most seasoned viewers may find themselves scratching their heads in disbelief, wondering how such a promising premise could go so spectacularly awry.

In the end, 'Patna Shukla' offers little in the way of entertainment or enlightenment. Its one saving grace may be its brevity, sparing audiences prolonged exposure to its bewildering brand of storytelling. With a rating of 1 out of 10, this film serves as a cautionary tale for aspiring filmmakers everywhere: good intentions alone cannot salvage a narrative adrift in the sea of senselessness.

Movie is available on Hotstar.

Before making up my mind to watch it, I checked out its IMDB rating which gave a negative perspective. However, i thought of giving it a try and to find out myself why so low ratings.

If it would have been released like 25-30 years back, or even before, it could have still worked out. Now i am not saying there weren't good court room Hindi dramas available that time, but now things are different; people watch more realistic approach, or if not, adrenaline filled bursts.

I am no lawyer, but whatever i have heard or seen or found, it is a very tough and protocol oriented job. There is a code of conduct and one has to follow it one way or the other. The court decorum has to be maintained, no matter what. This was something in the movie that bothered me the most. One of the lamest, unrealistic, and no-decorum-followed court drama that I ever watched. You need to watch it yourself to understand it in real.

The second problem came with the easiness of the way the prosecutor handled the whole situation. The dealing between a best and an amateur lawyer in the city felt lazy and sluggish. The writers should have watched other court room dramas like Jolly LLB to understand how the heat between lawyers increase tensions in the peoples mind watching it.

The movie already felt like shaping to provide justice to the student. We all know that at the end the outcome should have been what was shown, but the situations to derive it felt lame, boring, melodramatic, and one-sided.

Overall, i will give it 3.

"Patna Shukla" is a film that stands out not only for its impressive performances but also for its thought-provoking content. In a society rife with corruption and dishonesty across various sectors, the movie sheds light on the different facets of this pervasive issue. While some individuals boldly defend their actions, others resort to desperate measures to conceal their wrongdoing.

Raveena R Tandon and Chandan Roy Sanyal deliver standout performances, adding depth and authenticity to their characters. Their portrayal of individuals grappling with the moral complexities of corruption adds layers of intrigue to the storyline.

The film unfolds as a straightforward courtroom drama with a plot that is both unique and timely. It centers around a marksheet scam orchestrated by a corrupt institution, Bihar University, where underprivileged students' marksheets are illicitly exchanged with those of privileged students. The scam is brought to light when the daughter of an autodriver bravely seeks justice in court, triggering a series of events that expose the depth of corruption within the system.

While the premise of the film is compelling, its execution leaves something to be desired. The treatment of the storyline is dry, and the overall execution feels average. Dialogues lack depth, and courtroom scenes fail to evoke the required intensity to fully engage the audience. However, despite these shortcomings, "Patna Shukla" manages to hold its own as a decent film, thanks to its refusal to indulge in unnecessary melodrama or preachiness.

What sets the film apart is its exploration of a relatively unexplored aspect of corruption-a marksheet scam-against the backdrop of Bihar's societal dynamics. This unique angle adds freshness to the narrative and serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive nature of corruption, even in seemingly mundane aspects of life.

One of the film's strengths lies in its authenticity. The characters feel real, their struggles relatable, and their motivations understandable. This authenticity helps ground the story in reality, making it all the more impactful for viewers.

Despite its shortcomings, "Patna Shukla" succeeds in delivering a thought-provoking message about the importance of standing up against corruption and seeking justice, even in the face of daunting odds. It serves as a reminder that change is possible, but it requires individuals to take a stand and speak out against injustice.

Available on Disney Hotstar, "Patna Shukla" is a film worth watching for its engaging storyline, stellar performances, and timely message. While it may not be perfect, its sincerity and earnestness shine through, making it a valuable addition to the cinematic landscape.