Qala

After impressing the audience with skillful writing in Bulbul, Anvita Dutta steps into the area with direction and she does comes out well in the today's release - Qala

Based in the lovely city of Calcutta during the 1930's era, Qala tells the story of a female playback singer (Tripti Dimri) who life goes for a toss when her mother Urmila (Swastika Mukherjee) brings home an orphaned boy, Jagan (Babil Khan) who poses threat when it comes to singing.

Debutant director Anvita Dutta creates an artistic world of Qala with mesmerizing cinematography and enchanting art direction where each frame is so ecstatically presented that it is difficult to take your eyes off the screen. The tale of aspiration, opportunity, jealousy and betrayal is well balanced thanks to the tight screenplay, fine technical aspects and electrifying performances by Tripti Dimri, Swastika Mukherjee and Babil Khan.

Overall, well written and stunning performances is what makes Qala a pleasant watch.

I do not know how to describe this movie. It's not a movie but an EMOTION! Or rather a tsunami of emotions!!!

The CINEMATOGRAPHY itself is so BEAUTIFUL that it will break your heart! I was so mesmerized, that I rewinded and rewatched some scenes 20-30 times!

The story is simple and straightforward. It's no mystery what happened even though the directors and writers could have infused some intrigue. And that's my only gripe. They revealed what happened too early and they should have kept their cards close to their heart to maintain some suspense.

But the BEAUTY of the movie has not suffered because of that. The HEART of this movie is based on EMOTIONAL COMPLEXITY. Mother-daughter relations, jealousy, competition, that eternal strive to gain the approval of your parents!

SONGS are another highlight of this film. Drawing on our folklore, spiritual and mesmarizingly haunting!

There were a few hiccups in acting from Tripti Dimri but all the others carried their roles to superlative PERFECTION!

In this era where Bollywood churns disappointing gutter movies so often, this one stands out like a diamond in a coal mine! You will not regret watching this!

Loved it. Such films are rarely made or attempted. All cast are brilliant. 9/10.

Clean Slate Filmz has given #Pataal Lok, Bulbul, Mai , and now Qala. All were great success. This film is even better.

Triptii Dimri is a versatile actor who has great future.

This movie relates to all generation. Mother -Daughter relationship, art, female artistes survival in Bollywood , can be watched with family. No abuses, no gali. Watch it with family.

It's songs will linger for long time. Babil has done great work in limited space shows he has potential and will have great future.

Anvita Dutt knows how to portray dark, female side and hidden world with great aesthetic.

A must watch.

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.

My god what musical numbers, what storyline,what performances by all the the actors, specifically tripti she definitely will steal your heart with her performance, her childlike innocence and struggle to seek validation from her mother really comes as genuine. This film is truly slap on haters of bollywood who think bollywood dead and doesn't have any original storyline. What an amazing story and with character depth. Every scene of this movie feels like painting .Each frame has so much meaning behind it. Amit trivedi really did sone amazing work with the music and every song feels like breath of fresh air. I can't tell you how song beautifully infused life in this movie. Please give it a watch who who thinks bollywood is dead.