2022 may already be Bollywood’s best year? First Badhaai Do, with it’s tender yet humorous approach to telling a LGBTQIA story, then Gangubai Kathiwaadi with it’s feminist take on sex work and now Jalsa, a tale of dwindling morality.
There’s a thing I’ve seen in Bollywood, well in the newer Bollywood films (the 80s parallel cinema never had this problem), that characters in film never seem to exist in the grey area. They’re either bad or good. There’s a few films once in a while that seem to blur this line of good and evil and Jalsa is one of those films.
A hit and run of an 18 year old girl changes the course of life of two women. These women exist in a different arch of society. One is an upper class reporter whilst the other, the mother of the girl who was hit by a car, belongs to the lower class. And how this event brings unified chaos in both these women’s lives is the story of Jalsa.
Jalsa is about morality or lack thereof. It’s about motherhood, claws and all. It’s about the blurring of class divide, the power imbalance that may shift even with the slightest of movement. Jalsa is about the incompetence of the police system. In short, Jalsa is incredible.
I do agree that the second half faulters a little bit BUT I honestly didn’t mind. The film kept me on the edge of my seat throughout because of the gripping writing and the mesmerizing acting performances of the leads.
Vidya Balan is incredible and I think only a capable actress like her could’ve done this character justice. I doubt any other actress would’ve even dared playing a character like this? Vidya is just mesmerizing to watch.
And then there’s Shefali Shah, equally amazing. Her eyes speak volumes. Be it rage, happiness, saddness or frustration, those emotions of the eyes just jump out of the screen hitting you in the face. She can be at the corner of the frame, silent and her face will be able to tell you a whole story. More Shefali Shah on my screen, please! Cannot wait for Delhi Crime Season 2.
And when these two powerhouse actresses come on screen together… just chills.
Shoutout to Rohini Hattangady. What an incredible actress. That woman has a BAFTA and a National Award, LIKE COME ON. That bitch is TALENTED AS FUCK.
Overall, such an incredible film. A slow burn edge of your seat thriller that’s equal part enamoring and equal parts revolting. Kudos to Suresh Triveni (who made another of my favorite Balan starrer film Tumhari Sulu) for making this incredibly fantastic film.
Look at my 2022 Ranked, so far. HERE.
2022 may already be Bollywood’s best year? First Badhaai Do, with it’s tender yet humorous approach to telling a LGBTQIA story, then Gangubai Kathiwaadi with it’s feminist take on sex work and now Jalsa, a tale of dwindling morality.
There’s a thing I’ve seen in Bollywood, well in the newer Bollywood films (the 80s parallel cinema never had this problem), that characters in film never seem to exist in the grey area. They’re either bad or good. There’s a few films once in a while that seem to blur this line of good and evil and Jalsa is one of those films.
A hit and run of an 18 year old girl changes the course of life of two women. These women exist in a different arch of society. One is an upper class reporter whilst the other, the mother of the girl who was hit by a car, belongs to the lower class. And how this event brings unified chaos in both these women’s lives is the story of Jalsa.
Jalsa is about morality or lack thereof. It’s about motherhood, claws and all. It’s about the blurring of class divide, the power imbalance that may shift even with the slightest of movement. Jalsa is about the incompetence of the police system. In short, Jalsa is incredible.
I do agree that the second half faulters a little bit BUT I honestly didn’t mind. The film kept me on the edge of my seat throughout because of the gripping writing and the mesmerizing acting performances of the leads.
Vidya Balan is incredible and I think only a capable actress like her could’ve done this character justice. I doubt any other actress would’ve even dared playing a character like this? Vidya is just mesmerizing to watch.
And then there’s Shefali Shah, equally amazing. Her eyes speak volumes. Be it rage, happiness, saddness or frustration, those emotions of the eyes just jump out of the screen hitting you in the face. She can be at the corner of the frame, silent and her face will be able to tell you a whole story. More Shefali Shah on my screen, please! Cannot wait for Delhi Crime Season 2.
And when these two powerhouse actresses come on screen together… just chills.
Shoutout to Rohini Hattangady. What an incredible actress. That woman has a BAFTA and a National Award, LIKE COME ON. That bitch is TALENTED AS FUCK.
Overall, such an incredible film. A slow burn edge of your seat thriller that’s equal part enamoring and equal parts revolting. Kudos to Suresh Triveni (who made another of my favorite Balan starrer film Tumhari Sulu) for making this incredibly fantastic film.
Look at my 2022 Ranked, so far. HERE.
