Movie Review: ‘Talvar’
Movie Review: ‘Talvar’
Rating: 4/5
Director: Megna Gulzar
Cast: Konkona Sen Sharma, Neeraj Kabi, Irrfan Khan
‘Talvar‘ is a gripping take on one of the most high profile murders of our times, and because it’s a true story with true documentation, it’s disturbing all the more. Vishal Bhardwaj’s fantastic writing unravels the mystery piece-by-piece. It’s to Gulzar’s credit that she keeps it logical and believable without losing any of the drama.
Vishal Bharadwaj and Meghna Gulzar called ‘Talvar’ as the fictional representation of the Aarushi-Hemraj murder case but the way it is shot and executed you would believe it’s for real.
Such a film with an intense whodunit tale needs actors who can do justice to it. With the likes of Irrfan Khan, Konkana Sen Sharma, Neeraj Kabi and others, Gulzar had made sure people don’t get disturbed by the histrionics but by the proceedings. Even the supporting cast from a small role to a substantial one, everyone was just PERFECT!
The narrative is simple yet effective and striking, which is Director Megna Gulzar’s greatest triumph because a case so twisted and complex couldn’t have been told any better in two hours. Gulzar takes the viewer from the murder scene to the investigation process to the media circus to the courtroom, never letting her individual perspective come in the way of the story’s integrity. If this indeed is the truth then there’s no better medium than a mainstream feature film to take it to the public.
The best part about the film is it doesn’t waste time in establishing a happy family before to show the loss. It gets straight to the point and starts from the morning Shruti’s body is found. The script is water-tight so much so that we get engrossed in it right from the first frame.
A thriller needs to intrigue people and make them jump at every twist and turn. With Talvar, it was not really possible since anyone who read the Aarushi-Hemraj murder case on the newspapers know where the case is headed. Hence, the proceedings need to be pacy.
Irrfan and Tabu’s track was hardly needed and served no purpose. Fortunately, it doesn’t really affect the story but could have been done without.
Talvar is easily among the best Hindi films of the year. It is in equal parts absorbing, heartbreaking, and infuriating, much like the case it’s based on.
