Review of Kahaani (2012) by Pampalini L — 03 Aug 2013

Bollywood films mostly have women roles reduced to being love interests, but in Kahaani that stereotype is broken. While the plot does go downhill by the third act Kahaani is still a refreshing experience from the usual male-central Bollywood flicks.

Kahaani is about a pregnant woman's searching for her missing husband which takes her from London to Kolkata, but everyone she questions denies having ever met her husband. The narrative structure of the film is very smart. One very good storytelling choice is introducing all the character within the first twenty minutes. Gradually building upon from first introduction. The mystery element of the film is well played. We only get a small glimpse of the overall mystery, but eventually grows into something bigger. The progression of the mystery feels natural with every new clue clearing up a part of the puzzle. The first two act are solid adding more to the mystery and characters past, but the last act is where the plot begins to crumble and show it cracks. It immediately stop building up the mystery behind our heroine missing husband and a twist ending that turns the film into an undercooked spy thriller. The twist never receives any buildup throughout the entire film making it reveal completely artificial and convoluted.

Vidya Balan is outstanding in the leading role. Her ability to tailor her emotions of sympathy, anger and despair - multiplies the strength of her character and the film. At time coming of vulnerable and other frustrated over a missing clue making you worried about her safe being. Parambrata Chattopadhyay is subtle and splendid as Rana. Acting alongside with Balan in many scenes with great and convincing chemistry. Aside from the top notch acting it's succeed from a technical standpoint. Director Sujoy Ghosh makes the city of Kolkata a character of the film with it cinematography. He perfectly captures the essence of city - the culture, durga-puja, dirty alleys and even the strained lifestyle. There are no ultra-clean streets with pretty models running about; no unbelievably dramatic situations; no interrupting songs. This accompanied with the score which plays innocently as the characters travel the length and breadth of the city enchanting the mood of what we're seeing. Elegantly shifting mood with every new music piece we listen.

Kahaani twist ending might diminish part of the viewing experience for some, but the complete package still satisfies. Filled with fine performances and a mystery that will have you hooked until the very end more than make up for any shortcomings that occur in the last act.