Kalyug - My Review
Previously titled “Blue Film”, I thought Kalyug was going to be another skin-flick by the Bhatt clan. So with a remote in hand, wary eyes, and after making sure no one was home, I sat down to watch this movie!
The first half surprisingly is void of any skin-show at all and the story begins like any other love story of a simple boy and girl. The build-up of this innocent love story makes one wish the best for this couple while “jiya dhadak dhadak” plays in the background. Just when you think they are on their way to a happy life together forever, their lives are disrupted by the brute charges of making a pornn film and distributing it on a popular Indian pornn site. The girl cannot bear the humiliation and commits suicide. Although the love story is very sweet and could keep going forever, the pace of the film really picks up here when the boy (Kunal Khemu) decides to get to the bottom of this web of lies and deception that surrounds him and probably thousands of other innocent couples. The quest takes him to Zurich, Switzerland where a major porr industry flourishes under business magnate Simi Roy ( Amrita Singh).
The Bhatts have come up with something very believable this time. From the simple life of a Kashmiri boy to the brutal truths about life and the billion dollar porn industry, Kalyug will keep you hooked on till the very end. Scenes in the movie, especially the second half are very well executed and handled properly! The theme of the film, human trafficking is handled deftly, is very believable, and could happen to any one of us. The hunger for power in Simi Roy, the helplessness of the porn star Annie (Deepal Shaw), the lecherous acts of a porn dealer (Ashutosh Rana), and the “dard” and anger within Kunal, all combined make for a perfect “tamasha”..all right in sync with the film’s tag line “Kisi ek ka dard kisi aur ka tamasha ban jaata hai”.
There is no unnecessary skin show in the film and the songs are also well placed. They are well used and do not seem out of place at all. From the sweet, lovable tunes of “jiya dhadak jaaye”, to the painful “aadat” and the very erotic “dheere dheere” the music and lyrics of all the songs are completely in sync with the narrative! The highlights of the film are the arrest of Kunal and Smiley, the scenes between Amrita Singh and her daughter, Kunal’s meeting with Ali (Emraan Hashmi), Annie’s story, and the climax - very well shot and apt! The dialogues are very effective, crisp, and have a lasting effect,especially when they are executed in crisp tones by Amrita Singh in silent rage. The theme of the story is such that had it not been handled well…it could have potentially been all skin, and no show! Full points to director Mohit Suri for being an amazing story teller and executing a very sensitive issue almost perfectly!
Amazingly, the director was able to extract stellar performances from the complete cast and crew as well! The girl (Smilie) is allright in her small role. Deepal Shaw, although ugly, is very competant with her acting skills while Kunal Khemu is an actor to watch out for. Sure, Khemu is crude at times in the movie but with time this guy will surely polish his acting prowess and is one to definitely bag some debut awards this year! All three newcomers, although not much eye candy are definitely skilled and will go a long way.
Amrita Singh is the stunner and is absolutely terrific with her negative shades!Never does she twitch her eyebrows, nor raise her voice, in fact there is a glossy wetness in her tone as if underneath there is a fathomless emotional ocean (which there is as we see in the film), yet she conveys the menace, the sinisterness in an impeccable manner that leaves the audience shuddering in her cold, clammy deathly stare. A character of strength and notoriety, she exudes immense power even till her downfall - and when she does so, it is with dignity befitting the stature of her negativity, quite akin to a Shakespearan character!. Rocking the screen everytime she appears, Amrita Singh is sure to bag nominations in the best negative role category this year.
Even the girl who plays her daughter gives a splendid performance. The biggest surprise of the film for me was “bheege honth” boy Emraan Hashmi. Although, in a small role (thankfully), Hashmi delivers a performance befitting his character and does it with ease. Yes yes, do not faint, I liked Hashmi in this film! And like DJ said, “the director didn’t let loose a female in front of him, so the viewers were saved that way”.
The film is very refreshing, leaves you stunned and thinking, and ofcourse is a welcome change from the previous sleaze show associated with the Bhatts and Emraan Hashmi! Different from the Chopra and Johar love recipes, this one might not be appealing to all but will surely find an audience and carve its own niche. A perfect blend of a believable theme, a good script, crisp dialogues, skilled direction, good music, smooth narrative, and excellent performances, Kalyug is easily one of the most underestimated films ever.
Even if you are still skeptical about this film, earlier titled “Blue Film”, dont be! It is surely worth watching. It might just break all your preconceived notions about a movie on human trafficking.
Thanks Deepak for helping me out with this post!