KALANK movie review is here. The most awaited period drama released today. Starring Madhuri Dixit, Sonakshi Sinha, Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, Aditya Roy Kapur, Sanjay Dutt & Kunal Kemmu, the period drama set in 1945 is directed by Abhishek Varman. Does KALANK satisfy the huge expectations and is it worth the hype? Find out in our critic review of KALANK.
Immediate reaction when the end credits of KALANK roll?
Dil mange more… as Madhuri says to Alia in one scene – thodha namak kam hai (rough translation – the savour is missing) and pat comes the reply from Alia. “namak jyada hua toh swaad kadva ho jaata hai (in the zest to add more salt (tang, savour) many times the result turns sour). The case of Abhishek Varman’s KALANK is the same. Kabhi ‘namak’ jyada kabhi namak kam. Less khushi more gham. (I don’t think any translation is needed over here).
The story of KALANK
The price you have to pay for a forbidden ishq (love) done chori chori… Roop (Alia Bhatt) from India gets married to Dev (Aditya Roy Kapur) in Pakistan owing to pressure, unavoidable circumstances and urge from Dev’s first wife Satya (Sonakshi Sinha). In her sasural, Roop falls in love with Zafar (Varun Dhawan) and things take epic turn when hidden secrets are out.
Major Highlights
The kathak by Alia Bhatt on ‘ghar more pardesia’ and Madhuri Dixit on ‘tabah ho gaye’ is worth your every penny. The material of what opulent blockbusters are made of.
Performance
Alia Bhatt and Madhuri Dixit make this sinking ship float a bit with their terrific performances. If Alia is the ‘ROOP’ the beauty of KALANK, Madhuri Dixit is the seamless charm a true blue diva as Bahaar Begum. It reminds you of Chandramukhi. Varun Dhawan is intense sometimes unnecessarily. Sonakshi Sinha is fantastic. Aditya Roy Kapur is a pleasant surprise and gives a controlled performance. Sanjay Dutt is okay in his limited scope. Kunal Khemu is fine. Hiten Tejwani impresses. The cameo by Kiara Advani and Kriti Sanon is passable.
Major flaws
The tale of forbidden love helmed by Abhishek Varman is lost in its opulence. And it’s too glossy all the times. You don’t get any emotional connect with the characters and after a while you hardly bother. The premise had a solid scope for a cinematic/political statement but it is weighed down by its heavy set pieces, which are gorgeous and spectacular but not really authentic in depicting the era. There are a couple of tantalizing moments but never in the entire 2 hrs 48 minutes of slog, there is not a single moment of a mesmerizing sweep felt. Driven by sequences that demand suspensions of tremendous disbelieve, you have Bahaar Begum staying in a mansion that requires a shikara (a boat) to reach her. The bullfight is weirdly funny and much more… Abhishek Varman creates a beautiful water-color world that never quite blooms into living colour and its deliberate right from the word go in the misconception or say illusion that something ‘big’ is happening, watch out.
Music
Music is a winner, Pritam does it again, ‘Ghar more pardesiya’, ‘kalank’ title track are take home for sure.
Technicalities
KALANK is all of opulent sets and eye-popping visuals. Cinematography by Binod Pradhan is outstanding. The set decoration by Pravin Tambe is amazing.
Final words
KALANK has everything – beauty, heart and a stellar cast but lacks the emotional heartbeat and is found searching for a soul. A beautifully stunning world, a lavish theatre created by sitting comfortably on an armchair that goes everywhere and reaches nowhere. Going with 2.5 – thanks to Alia, Madhuri and Pritam.
