Mardaani

Mardaani is a good film released at the right moment.

I say that because of the high proportion of news about rape and sexual assault and attacks on women in the national newspapers in India. Pradeep Sarkar succeeds in retelling the acclaimed Hollywood story (Liam Neeson's Taken) of how an officer single-handedly taken on the traders of flesh. He charms the audience by filling all holes that would've crept up had it been a poorly researched film, like all other recent Bollywood films are.

Here in, we have inspector Shivani (Rani Mukherji) who uses her manliness to search and kill the young boy, a flesh trade kingpin who kidnapped and sold her adopted child into overseas sex rackets. There are chiefly two villains in the film, both of which are good. But I am awestruck by nobody Tahir Bhasin's brilliant performance as the vindictive boss who speaks like he was a born criminal. His air, his diction, his portrayal - all upped my ante in cinema-watching experience. Come climax, this same villain goes through a paradigm shift and seems to have lost all his qualities, which drives the predictability ahead.

But I am not complaining because the 2 hours were never boring. Plus, since it conveys a message that women should stand up with a touch of power for their rights hits the right chord with the large number of women that were present in the theater hall.

Coming to the cuss language, I didn't mind it because it was a necessary component. Mukherji is good, as well. The supporting cast is fine. The title track is surely to hit the charts.

BOTTOM LINE: One of the very few watchable films in 2014 Bollywood, Mardaani is an unexpected treat. If you have 2 hours to spare this weekend, go watch it and come home entertained.

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES (You should!)

Mardaani is a brilliant movie, and especially so because it comes in a time so crowded by the larger-than-life police cop, who is way beyond falling into physics of regular procedurals. The casting is picture perfect, and the dialogs, not crispy, but suited well. I appreciate the fact that they didn't push in any songs (except for one song in the end in the background, but that is acceptable), and the movie respects intellect and reality (lending it an 'adult' rating). The whole negative cast of the film is so well cast, (partly because its from a real life story), that I couldn't take my eyes off. Its a recommended movie, (and definitely a better watch than the Expendibles.) and I am happy that people have sensibilities in them to make meaningful cinema.

Nowadays when the so-called superstars of bollywood (Salman, Akshay, SRK etc) make such mindless & nonsensical movies in the name of leave-your- brains-at-home comedies (like Kick & Ready & Dabang & Entertainment & what not), Mardaani is a refreshing change.

I am not saying that it's a gem or the best movie out there but it is good. It has a good (although not many twists or turns) story, powerful acting by Rani and the supporting cast, no out-of-context songs and very nice ending.

I see a trend that Bollywood heroines are trying to come up with good movies like Kangana in Queen, Revolver Rani; Priyanka in Mary Kom, Fashion; Vidya in Kahani, No one killed Jessica etc where as the 40+ year old "heroes" are still stuck in the 90s; churning out stupid movies where the girl is mainly for songs. I don't have a problem with those kind of movies too if they are decent; which many aren't. I love a good comedy or action movie as much as I enjoy a serious one. But the movies made by the male "superstars" are not even funny or entertaining; though surprisingly, those movies are in the 200 crore etc club.

I hope we as an audience start to appreciate some diversity that movies like Mardaani portray.

'Mardaani' Directed by the talented Pradeep Sarkar, is A Crisp, Intense Crime-Drama, that is Well-Written, Superbly Directed & Brilliantly Acted. The film comes as a pleasant surprise & ranks among the better films of 2014, yet.

'Mardaani' Synopsis: A cop's search for a missing teenage girl leads her to the depraved world of child trafficking. What follows is a cat-and-mouse game between the fearless cop and a ruthless mafia kingpin.

'Mardaani' has a power-packed first-hour, with each sequence leaving an impact. The cat-and-mouse game between the fearless cop & the ruthless mafia kingpin is grasping, although the second-hour slows down a bit. What makes 'Mardaani' work prominently, is its raw approach & the brisk pacing, which keeps its spectator glued to the screen.

Gopi Puthran's Screenplay is fabulous. Its gritty, intense & fast. However, the climatic moments aren't too effective. Pradeep Sarkar's Direction is simply superb. He's in command this time around. Cinematography is top-class. Editing is balanced. Action-Sequences are raw.

Performance-Wise: Rani Mukherji is in terrific form. She enacts the cop with rage & intensity. She leads the film with a yet another stellar performance! Tahir Bhasin is tremendous as the chief villain. He handles his part with utmost conviction. Anil George is absolutely brilliant in a small, yet frightening role. Jisshu Sengupta is sincere. Others lend admirable support.

On the whole, 'Mardaani' packs a solid punch! Strongly Recommended!

Bollywood has always space to celebrate womanhood through their films. Mardaani is on that league. After watching the trailer recently I decided to watch this movie which deals the serious subject of sex trafficking in India. Based on some true events the story opens up with Rani as a brave lady officer who is bold and mannish. The dialogue was witty to portray a daring officer when she deals with a goon who messes with her. The way she asks them "anyone else wants to learn law" was fantastic. The story gets serious when Rani tangles herself into the case of a missing girl "Pyarri" who is known to her. Then she traces and reaches Walt the kingpin of the child sex trafficking and challenges him that she will save the girls within thirty days. The rest of the story travels with some raw reality about human trafficking and drug deals from Mumbai to Delhi to expose some hard truth about India. Whether Shivani Shivaji Roy was able to succeed her mission of saving the girls before they lose their innocence in prostitution is the rest of the plot featuring some investigations, chase etc., makes us stay engaged throughout the movie. As for as the performances the lead starting Rani Mukerji is promising as Shivani Shivaji Roy senior inspector of police crime branch Mumbai. May it be a blind girl in "Black" or an adulterous wife in "KANK" or a daring journalist in "No one killed Jessica" or the bubbly thief in "B&B" she has always justified her role. Yet again she proves again her versatility. Then comes Tahir Bhasin as Walt the antagonist succeeds in creating a feel of hatred towards him. Technically brilliant camera works and BGM helped the movie greatly. #Mardaani is a worth watch gripping tale but lags something to join the wagon of other woman hood films like "English Vinglish" "Kahaani" "Queen" "Fashion" "The Dirty Picture". Eagerly waiting to watch the next film on this league PC's avatar as "MaryKom". -Reviewed by Sivakumar Balachandran