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Film: "Kahaani"; Starring: Vidya Balan, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Nawazuddin Siddiqui; Directed by: Sujoy Ghosh; Rating: ****
This is a great time to be a movie buff. Within a week of "Paan Singh Tomar", which should incontestably win Irrfan Khan the National Award for best actor, comes "Kahaani" in which Vidya Balan is so flawlessly resplendent that one suspects the next year's National Award too is already reserved for her. Dirty deeds forgotten.
Playing Vidya Bagchi, a non-resident Indian (NRI) who lands in Kolkata heavily pregnant and immeasurably distressed by the disappearance of her husband, Vidya Balan doesn't hit a single false note in the entire graph of her character's fascinating journey.
"Kahaani" is not an ordinary thrill-a-minute film about a search for a missing person. It's a lot more. Bringing a virgin vitality to the suspense drama, the film strikes a captivating balance between realism in art and the art of courting realism, without losing the entertainment quotient.
From the moment Vidya lands in Kolkata, the colour, vibrancy, bustle and jostle that are peculiar to Kolkata assail your senses. It's a claustrophobic yet liberating world of intrigue and deception. A pungent flavour of anxiety and stress qualify the narration from frame one.
Sujoy Ghosh, whose earlier films gave us no clue of the ingenuity that he displays here with such ostensible casualness, cuts the footage with razor sharp economy, leaving no sign of the surgery involved in leaving behind scenes and putting together a tale that pays homage to Hitchcock even while it tilts its topi to the detective films of Satyajit Ray.
The complexities of metropolitan life emerge in a kind of bridled flurry. Within a few minutes of Vidya's landing in Kolkata we know her search for her missing husband is not going to be a cake-walk. Yes, we will see this spirited woman's pursuit of the truth to the end.
Ghosh crafts a tale of devious dynamics that do not make a song and dance of their cloak-and-dagger intentions. The narrative doesn't whip up a lather of anxieties. Stock devices of the suspense genre are here thrown meaningfully into the Hooghly. The relevance and resonance of Vidya's journey into the dark unrevealed bowel of India's secret service emerge in illuminating details created in Vidya's character which add up finally to a jigsaw where not a single piece is out of place.
The end-game, shot in an exquisite eruption of Durga Puja's compelling colours, is so unexpected, it is bound to leave even the most diehard cynics with a sense of satiated suspense.
Indeed so clever is the writing and so stunning yet convincing the denouement that one was persuaded into wondering whether Sujoy Ghosh filched the material from some unidentifiable source.
While it would be criminal to give away any of the plot details it would be in the scope of permissible praise to say the writing is clearly not meant to strew red herrings in our way. As we go back to the film, at the end we see every detail, every twist and turn in the plot was meant to be a coherent pointer to the complete picture.
Ghosh's masterful story-telling leaves no room to doubt the existence of a rather unforgiving God who charts a seemingly cruel destiny for the unsuspecting individual.
Vidya's portrayal of grace under pressure is so measured and skilled, one at times wonders if she was actually watching herself perform from a distance to make sure she didn't take her character's distress into the kingdom of melodrama.
Vidya Balan has splendid support from actors who merge into the Kolkatan conundrum with the seamless inevitability of people who accept extraordinary circumstances as part of life's ordinary patterns.
Impressive in his own right is Parambrata Chattopadhyay as Vidya's pillar of support from within an establishment that insists on throwing her off the track.
Parambrata plays his gentle character with such tender affection that you begin to believe goodness is not an extinct commodity.
Nawazuddin Sidiqqui, that brilliant actor from Kabir Khan's "New York" and last week's "Paan Singh Tomar", brings a steely-sharp ruthlessness to his investigative officer's role.
In one of Vidya's best sequences where she quietly tells him to keep his menacing advice to himself, Nawazuddin steps back to let the lady have her moment of glory, unhampered.
Vidya Balan takes centrestage with great skill and restrained pride. Her laughter of joy when she bonds with the chai-wallah kid (Ritobroto Mukherjee) and her final breakdown sequence bring her close to the cathartic emotions that Shabana Azmi displays.
Vidya displays a rare understanding of her character's exacerbated emotional and physical state. Luckily for her, her co-actors display no outward or inward signs of insecurity in playing roles that are designed to be supremely supportive.
Veteran Bengali actors unknown to Bollywood, such as Saswata Mukherjee as a hired assassin and Kharaj Mukherjee as a kindly podgy cop, fill up the edges of the comprehensive lucid portrait of a woman with a mission, without crowding the canvas.
"Kahaani" is one of those rare films that can easily lay claim to being a game-changer. And yet the narrative makes no claims. The destiny of the protagonist is charted in a breathless sweep of urgently persuasive episodes that tumble out as though God wrote Vidya Bagchi's screenplay.
Enthralling, absorbing and engaging the narrative never resorts to italicized emotions to get our attention. We are hooked unconditionally from scene one. We surrender to Vidya's journey. She gives us no choice.
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jab tak hai jann is fab
Right now Vidya is ruling the box office despite Kahaani being everything a commercial Hindi film shouldn't be. Vidya rocks, and to the people calling her overrated, plz don't click on Vidya's posts & go & watch Katrina sway.
Agree with ANNON below SAT- 01:52..............yes we don't need hero (IN VIDYA) ,we have a lot like that( Konkana, tabu, & mind u they are really good)we need mainstream cinema !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!dont hype her !
WHAREVER U GUYS SAY BUT DOSEN"T CHANGE THE FACT & SOME PEOPLES OPINION THAT SHE IS GOOD BUT BORRRRRRRRRRRRRING!!!!!!!!!!
lol!! vidya would NEVER do horrible films with no soul like houseful, she only goes for roles that are different, intriguing and interesting. even her masala films had roles for vidya which were interesting, like the 'lady luck' part in kismat konnection. so to the anon who suggested that any film with vidya would get a thumbs up: the media isnt stupid. they know talent, they know a good film when they see one. and vidya knows a good role when it is offered to her
Pinkvilla post this!!
Go Vidya, finally those hags Kareena and Katrina can see what good acting is all about.
Fri, 2012-03-09 16:21 — Anonymous
VIDYA IS OVERRATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pls media is going over the top promoting her ,she is good but there are many others too .....she is not the ONLY ONE , like they are making her to be !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!so get over it......For 'hatke movies' we have english movies to go & watch , we don't need them here (Bollywood)...here we want entertainment (although Not Dirty pic style) ....
JSTFU..YOU WRITE THIS CRAP IN EVERY SINGLE VIDYA'S POST..MAY BE UR FAV AISH IS OVERRATED!!..U APPEAR TO BE ONE OF HER OBSESSIVE FANS OTHERWISE U NEED TO GET A LIFE!!..VIDYA IS THE BEST WE HAVE TODAY N THERE IS NO STOPPING HER..BETTER STOP WAGGING UR USELESS TONGUE@!
I agree with you...well said! The person who just wrote that vidya is overrated...she should be cursing herself of being born...coz she is the biggest fool i have ever come across in my life....what a stupid comment...i cant help but laugh at her idiocacy....i feel pity for her infact!! its because of stupid ppl like her that indian cinema isnt going anywhere today! Vidya is the only actor in the industry right now....fearless and a very very good actor!
we have already found...aamir khan...da mr perfect...and now we have found our ms. perfect that is vidya balan!!!!! Gooooo vidya gooooooooo we love u!!
Yes Vidya is a good actress but I have never seen such hype about any actor/actress in the media before. It beats even Shahrukh in promotion.
After such extensive hype and the winning of the National Award I would have expected Kahaani to open to an overwhelming response! yet it has opened just about decently. Of course the usual critics are going overboard in their praise.....something which was a forgone conclusion but so much for Vidya's claims of being the hero of the film. The public are not that interested in this hero after all! And so much for the game changer claim. Movies like this have always been made and should be made but the opening is the clue to why moviemakers stick to mainstream Bollywood films. They need to make money to survive. Personally I feel that there is nothing wrong with the majority of the Indian public wanting to watch the regular song and dance movies. For the majority of them there will never be any escape from the drudgery and povertyof their daily lives and who are we, who are well off,to deny them a chance of a few hours of escapism!
Just came back from the movie. I still can't believe what i just watched... Please go n watch the movie. Its seriously excellent.. OMG OMG OMG...what a script and what performances maaaaaan.
If VIdya starred in HOusefull2 the media would say it was a great film and she was amazing in it! Yes, that's how absurd this over praise of Vidya has become.
Saw the movie- BRILLIANT!!! - the chemistry between both Vidya and this guy was very good.story - engaging,script = flawless.Chemistry can come across through fine acting as well and not just singing and shaking heads and slow motions!!!.
Vidya only you and Priyanka ,according to me ,can act with actors who are ordinary and non existent .Cant imagine any young actress acting with this guy ,nasarudeen shah or annu kapoor for that matter.Others just remind you about the existence for material world and vanity alone. GR8
i thought great movies in bollywood would die with shabana ji or nasarudeen shah or bachchan or aamir for that matter.Nope , vidya = hope
I watched the movie- excellent ,thrilling and engaging ,it was brilliant esp Vidya ,the police guy(ordinary and loveable) and of course nawazuddin ( ha ha kamina police officer).THis reminds me of some good tamil movies i watched recently -ordinary ppl for ordinary roles and good subtle acting. great!!!
It took an unconventional actress like VIDYA to bring back good acting in demand after a long time after BACHCHAN and AAMIR KHAN ( i am not trying to say she s bachchan) BUT ppl go to watch her acting and quality of movie she does and not some shivering and stammering. Neither any DEMO of "borrowed" designer clothes. I am a huge fan of good movies and a fan great fan of korean, iranian, chinese,regional indian movies and even some afghan movies which comes on TV. The theatre was FULL and i wish more movies come and not some "action songs".
Vidya Overrated.. Don't make me laugh. It's when overrated people who don't know how to speak, dance or act become top actresses is when you know Bollywood film Industry is going down the drain. If Indian women had a ounce of self respect this wouldn't be happening.
Dear: "Fri, 2012-03-09 14:41 — Anonymous
VIDYA IS OVERRATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pls media is going over the top promoting her ,she is good but there are many others too .....she is not the ONLY ONE , like they are making her to be !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!so get over it......For 'hatke movies' we have english movies to go & watch , we don't need them here (Bollywood)...here we want entertainment (although Not Dirty pic style) ...."
PEOPLE LIKE YOU ARE THE REASON THAT HINDI CINEMA DYING!!!! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE TELLING US TO GO WATCH ENGLISH FILMS FOR HATKE STUFF. WE COULD ALSO TELL YOU TO GO WATCH SALMAN KHAN'S READY 50 BILLION TIMES FOR YOUR CRAP IDEA OF ENTERTAINMENT. vidya is not overrated. she is being celebrated. we are all just overjoyed that finally AN ACTRESS has arrived. she is not a great dancer, like sridevi or madhuri, and she's not the greatest looker, like and aishwarya or katrina, but she is the only one who somehow manages to play second fiddle to no one in her films and still entertain audiences. her films never get into the "oh i'm an abused/ struggling woman; feel sorry for me" mode. which is why she rocks. if you have a problem with her, then don't watch her films. i would rather have her in this industry than not, because frankly my dear, her success gives other women and actresses HOPE. continue your path-breaking work vidya!!! there will always be people out there who encourage your choices and talent, so don't pay attention to those who choose to see the negative side of your success. WE LOVE YOU VIDYA!!! <3 POST THIS PINKVILLA!!! OR ELSE!
I totally agree with u! It's because of such ppl that we find the face of Indian cinema seldom change.. Time to let go of yash chopra brand of overrated, sugar coated romance or mind numbing action flicks or the no brainer 'comedy' flicks we are tortured with everytime! And vidya is several miles ahead of the other bimbos here ( barring pc who comes with good performances, and kareena at times, but definitely no where close to vidya!) We need ppl like vidya who take up challenging and interesting women centric roles like this, and those calling her overrated, get a life!
Pv publish this!!
critics have ALWAYS appreciated talented people - it's the audience who fails to recognise and encourage real talent in cinema. glad to see that we've finally got it right with vidya - and that is what the media is portraying. the media isn't over-promoting vidya at all - the media is a reflection of the public opinion, and the public loves vidya. FACT. SO JUST SHUT UP AND DEAL WITH IT. looks like we've finally got another female icon :) so happy!
vidya is NOT overrated. perhaps some others are underrated (like tabu and konkona sen sharma) or not effectively/under-utilised (kareena kapoor) - but THAT IS NO FAULT OF VIDYA'S!! IT'S ABOUT TIME AT LEAST SOMEONE IS GIVEN THEIR DUE, AND APPRECIATED FOR THE RIGHT REASONS. so be happy for her. let's hope that other deserving actresses get their due too, rather than attacking vidya for her success story. we all know how much she struggled to get accepted - to even get one film in her kitty. this woman deserves all the accolades she gets - cos she's in films for the right reasons (to act, improve her craft, provide the audiences with intellectually stimulating work) - not to become a sex symbol or a fashion icon, or get on the endorsements bandwagon, or take the conventional route alongside huge stars to make heaps of money. she has belief in herself and her talent - you can really tell that she is a very secure actor. that's what makes her stand out from the rest of the catty lot in bollywood. never change vidya - you're a gift to indian cinema :)
This movie may be critically good, but it will be a box office flop because Vidya is fully clothed.
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Haha hilarious comment
i think the main difference with Vidya is that she is not motivated by money..or item numbers ( so she can dance at all the award ceremonies).. she goes for roles that are different...and puts her heart and sole into that role...
She is a unique actor.. abit like Tabu in the 1990s.. but the only difference here is that India is ready for sensable films.. and most of Viday go on to make lots and lots of money...
Dear: "Fri, 2012-03-09 14:41 — Anonymous
VIDYA IS OVERRATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pls media is going over the top promoting her ,she is good but there are many others too .....she is not the ONLY ONE , like they are making her to be !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!so get over it......For 'hatke movies' we have english movies to go & watch , we don't need them here (Bollywood)...here we want entertainment (although Not Dirty pic style) ...."
PEOPLE LIKE YOU ARE THE REASON THAT HINDI CINEMA DYING!!!! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE TELLING US TO GO WATCH ENGLISH FILMS FOR HATKE STUFF. WE COULD ALSO TELL YOU TO GO WATCH SALMAN KHAN'S READY 50 BILLION TIMES FOR YOUR CRAP IDEA OF ENTERTAINMENT. vidya is not overrated. she is being celebrated. we are all just overjoyed that finally AN ACTRESS has arrived. she is not a great dancer, like sridevi or madhuri, and she's not the greatest looker, like and aishwarya or katrina, but she is the only one who somehow manages to play second fiddle to no one in her films and still entertain audiences. her films never get into the "oh i'm an abused/ struggling woman; feel sorry for me" mode. which is why she rocks. if you have a problem with her, then don't watch her films. i would rather have her in this industry than not, because frankly my dear, her success gives other women and actresses HOPE. continue your path-breaking work vidya!!! there will always be people out there who encourage your choices and talent, so don't pay attention to those who choose to see the negative side of your success. WE LOVE YOU VIDYA!!! <3 POST THIS PINKVILLA!!! OR ELSE!
So excited to see this movie! It looks awesome!
VIDYA IS OVERRATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pls media is going over the top promoting her ,she is good but there are many others too .....she is not the ONLY ONE , like they are making her to be !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!so get over it......For 'hatke movies' we have english movies to go & watch , we don't need them here (Bollywood)...here we want entertainment (although Not Dirty pic style) ....
JSTFU..YOU WRITE THIS CRAP IN EVERY SINGLE VIDYA'S POST..MAY BE UR FAV AISH IS OVERRATED!!..U APPEAR TO BE ONE OF HER OBSESSIVE FANS OTHERWISE U NEED TO GET A LIFE!!..VIDYA IS THE BEST WE HAVE TODAY N THERE IS NO STOPPING HER..BETTER STOP WAGGING UR USELESS TONGUE@!
watch this movie...it's awesome. balan tops her performance in the dirty picture. even her haters will admire her acting in this one.
VIDYA IS OVERRATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pls media is going over the top promoting her ,she is good but there are many others too .....she is not the ONLY ONE , like they are making her to be !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!so get over it......For 'hatke movies' we have english movies to go & watch , we don't need them here (Bollywood)...here we want entertainment (although Not Dirty pic style) ....
finally movies that make sense and a heroine who is also an actress.
Saw the movie & loved it. Again an unconventional , un-heroine role by Vidya. Again,she simply rules the screen.Again,she deserves an award.
just watched the movie myself and it was awesome !!
ok Vidya is NOT overrated. she is what the indian film industry NEEDS!!
Vidya Balan! India's finest actress, today. IF there is anyone who deserves to attend the Academy awards/or the Oscar's it is Vidya. She is a seasoned actress who is making hefty contributions to the hindi cinema today. Why the hell is it Aishwarya Bacchan, and her silly husband who get to attend? For what? Flop films after films? Silly, i tell you!
Why is it such a game-changer? What about that film Aamir, that was a game-changer but the star and makers of that movie didn't win any awards. Just because some people out there are hell-bent on portraying Vidya as something new to Indian Cinema we must applaud everything she does? Movies like this get made all the time - they just don't get this type of hype from the Media and those pretentious critics who love Western Cinema but still crtique indian movies!
Actually Vidya has had very few flops... her success rate is stellar...
There you go, over the top review! I don't know why it is but there are some interested parties in all this Vidya promotion.
Many film-makers could make similar such movies in India. The point is they don't make money! If this film does well it will be because Vidya has been in the media since TDP non-stop and to top it all the National Awards were announced a day before it was to be released. If all that does not figure and it ain't a success than that say's it all.
Vidya is a Media success story!
Who wrote this? I don't see a name anywhere. Very well-written.
I am going to see Kahaani in the theater. Sounds nail-biting appealing and also very artistic.
vidya is vidya.. another award!!!!!!!!!!! interesting movie it is
This movie may be critically good, but it will be a box office flop because Vidya is fully clothed.
And anyways, these days Vidya is really overrated. I'll have to watch the movie myself
Love you. Thanks for writing this. I would have watched it anyway but this helped a lot.
Watched it.
fan FRIGGIN tastic!!!!!
Vidya blew waters. Watch out fakers!!!! Balan is back and there's no turning back
whose review is this??
wow,vidya has done it again!!