Review of Kahaani (2012) by Prashant C — 05 May 2012

There haven't been many actresses in Bollywood who can command an opening on their own behest, but Vidya Balan defies that stereotype and grabs your attention and lures you to the cinema turnstiles.

She has constantly amazed me with her magnetic screen presence in Ishqiya, Parineeta and The Dirty Picture, reminding of Smita Patil (with almost the same smoulder). The only other actress that comes close is Mahie Gill (with shades again of the SP smoulder).

In this delectable thriller where Kolkatta plays an important and visually splendid protagonist Vidya takes us on a journey of deceit, crime, espionage and faint crushes. Sujoy Ghosh the director who paid homage to Pancham da in the delightful 'Jhankaar Beats' only to let us down terribly with 'Home Delivery' and 'Aladin' is fine fettle with an ensemble cast ably supporting Vidya.

It is extremely cerebral in most parts though it tends to get a little formulaic at times, but you tend to forgive Sujoy because of what the film delivers in its entirety. Not many filmakers have been able to make the landscape as important a character as Sujoy does with Kolkatta and just watching Vidya emote through the many nuances of the taut screenplay, makes your day!