BADLA movie review is here. The highly awaited crime thriller starring Amitabh Bachchan and Taapsee Pannu is released today. Produced by Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment in association with Azure Entertainment, the movie is directed by KAHAANI series fame Sujoy Ghosh. Does BADLA that sees the reunion of the magnificent Amitabh Bachchan with Taapsee Pannu after the incredible PINK, captivates the audience to the hilt? Let’s find out in the BADLA movie review.
Immediate reaction after watching BADLA
Three cheers to Amitabh Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu & Sujoy Ghosh, the KAHAANI of triumph (story) gets repeated and with aplomb. BADLA is a rare revenge drama, spell bindingly sensational, a terrific knock out.
The most incredible/astonishing feature of BADLA
After a long time in Bollywood mainstream cinema, a revenge drama, a crime thriller that is not just a bang on right from the wor go, it dares to break some grounds and is a rare experience where a movie rightly demands your attention and in return rewards it in equal measure. With Amitabh Bachchan giving a knock out performance and Taapsee Pannu in terrific form, BADLA is the crime thriller that should not be missed at all.
What is the KAHAANI/Story of BADLA?
The official adaptation of the terrific Spanish THE INVISIBLE GUEST by Oriol Paulo, BADLA is a story of successful woman entrepreneur Naina Sethi (Taapsee Pannu). Naina is allegedly accused of murder of her lover Arjun Joseph (Tony Luke). A top lawyer Badal Gupta (Amitabh Bachchan), comes to meet her and know the truth. And what lies beneath those truth and other moralities forms the crux of this complete edge-of-the-seat & captivating crime drama.
Direction of Sujoy Ghosh in BADLA?
The biggest achievement of Sujoy Ghosh as director in BADLA is his respect for Oriol Paulo’s original Spanish movie. I have seen it and was wondering before how Sujoy Ghosh would treat this one and was amazed that the director has remained true to original and made it edge-of-the-seat for the Indian audience brilliantly. Sujoy has proven his mettle in the suspense/thriller genre with KAHAANI and he is a master in creating an atmosphere. And in this one in particular, Sujoy Ghosh makes sure that he delivers what the masters ordered in his tribute to the aura/elements of Agatha Christie’s work and John Dickson Carr’s unique locked-room masterpiece THE HOLLOW MAN, plus an ode to the great Akira Kurosava’s RASHOMON on which the Devotion of Suspect X and DRISHYAM is based. In less talented hands, BADLA could have been reduced to a mundane revenge drama with some thrills here and there, but Sujoy Ghosh knows exactly how far to go; BADLA at times seems to be heading towards a conclusion and within a snap, it veers towards another. After a very long time, I had experienced this fascinating 2 hours of serpentine mystery on screen that moves briskly and in the process asks questions on morality, definition of truth and justice.
Amitabh Bachchan’s performance in BADLA
What can you say for an actor who never goes wrong? The icon for the icons – The magnificent Mr. Bachchan. You saw the lawyer in PINK now watch this suave, smart, genius law expert in BADLA – tremendous power, mind blowing. His body language, composure, the dialogue delivery, the humour that comes in between. Sheer pleasure, a lesson for aspiring actors on how to deliver a nuanced performance.
Taapsee Pannu’s performance in BADLA
Terrifically outstanding. Teaming up with Mr. Bachchan after PINK, the actress shows her tremendous growth and gives a performance that won’t be forgotten. Her camaraderie with Mr. Bachchan is incredible.This women’s day Taapsee Pannu will keep you at the edge of your seat with her breathtaking performance.
Performance of other actors in BADLA
Amrita Singh is in word sensational. Manav Kaul leaves his mark. Watch out for debutant Tony Luke. He is the suprise package and the actor leaves a good impression. Tanveer Ghani is passable.
Technicalities
With top grade production values, BADLA is technically a well-crafted piece of art as well. Monisha R Baldawa editing is superb. Avik Mukhopadhyay cinematography is captivating.
Other highlights
Dialogues by Raj Vasant and Sujoy Ghosh and the smart use of the world’s greatest epic Mahabharata.
Music
Thankfully, no song in the movie. However, the title track that comes during the casting is peppy.
Flaws
So, it’s a remake, Sujoy Ghosh should have come with something original, it’s a revenge drama, so obvious with the title. Sujoy should have given a completely desi look to it. I have seen THE INVISIBLE GUEST, naysayers will keep coming with this argument.
Final words
BADLA starring Amitabh Bachchan and Taapsee Pannu is certainly the must-see crime thriller/revenge drama in Bollywood. Ruled by exceptional performances, The Sujoy Ghosh directed movie is a movie that transcends the normal constraints of its genre and is worth your investment of both time and attention. When did you had the elements of truth, lies, justice, sin, guilt, vengeance and redemption probing you seriously while you are hooked by the character’s of a movie? BADLA is that rare spellbindingly sensational experience coming from a mainstream Bollywood crime thriller/revenge drama.
