Irada

I really like this film. The story line has a very powerful message and should be watched by everyone. We need more movies like this in Bollywood. Excellent acting by everyone, Mr.Shah, Mr.Warsi, and even the girl who plays the daughter! It was nice to see Sagarika in the movie, she was brilliant!

Irada is a crisp eco-thriller that deals with a real issue - the corrupt nexus between politicians and a factory which leads to ground water contamination causing cancer in people.

This is a real issue that is precisely what is happening in Punjab, with Bhatinda the worst-hit. This cancer can even lead to DNA mutations.

Note: Irada exposes the cancer problem while Udta Punjab exposes the drugs issue, both in Punjab.

Although Irada is a sincerely made film, it could've been handled and presented in a much better manner.

HAPPY POINTS on IRADA

1 - The movie is presented in a "crispy" manner with little or no diversions.

2 - Great acting by the likes of Nasserudin Shah, Arshad Warsi and Divya Dutta.

3 - Background music and Cinematography is good. I really liked the opening sequence of the film with the thrilling music.

SAD POINTS on IRADA

1 - A few things are shown as if the Director Arpaana Singh wants us to read her mind, instead of showing them clearly.

In two scenes, something written in letters are shown. But the scenes does not last long enough for us to read the contents. It'd have been smarter had the characters read out the important content for the audience to hear.

No mention of the content of the book released by Parabjeet Walia (Nasseruddin Shah).

There is some talk of a secret chemical formula which does not make sense.

2 - The interaction between Arshad (as the NIA officer) and Sagarika (the journalist) is very odd and irritating. It is as if they both know each other and Arshad talks and reacts in a casual and filmsy manner. In one scene he is playing with a table tennis ball while Sagarika is explaining something. Totally irritating! 3 - So why did Arshad Warsi enact the fake murder? For what purpose? It seems only the Director knows it.

4 - A boring love song between Maya (Sagarika Ghatge) & Anirudh (Nikhil Pandey) whom we do not known enough to care about. When the characters do not have any depth such songs make no sense.

Irada tackles a pressing issue - industrial pollution and its deadly consequences - but its execution doesn't match its ambition. The story, inspired by Punjab's cancer crisis, is compelling and socially relevant.

Naseeruddin Shah shines as a father seeking justice for his daughter, and Arshad Warsi brings his usual charm to the role of an NIA officer. The supporting cast, including Divya Dutta and Sharad Kelkar, is solid but underused.

However, the film's pacing is uneven. The first half drags, and the narrative jumps between too many subplots, making the story feel cluttered. The predictability of the plot further dulls the impact. While the core message is important, the writing and direction lack the tightness needed to make Irada a gripping thriller.

It's a 6/10 - watchable for its performances and intent, but ultimately a missed opportunity to be more than just average.

Disclosure: I am a huge fan of Naseeruddin Shah as well as Arshad Warsi.

Irada is a hard hitting movie that really gets the message home - the cost of "progress" is too high to pay.

Great movie with a serious message. However, not much entertainment as such. Weaving the message along with entertainment would have made the movie more attractive. Still, great movie.