'Jai Gangaajal' review: Even Hollywood export Priyanka Chopra's presence can't save this film

Jai Gangaajal
Director: Prakash Jha
Cast: Priyanka Chopra, Prakash Jha, Manav Kaul, Murli Sharma, Ninad Kamath, Rahul Bhat 
Rating: **

What's it about: 
Bankipur might as well be the heart of the Bihar badlands. And the man running the show is the 'aajivan vidhaayak' Babloo Pandey (Manav Kaul), albeit with some tacit support from DSP BN Singh (Prakash Jha), his own goons, brother Dabloo (Ninad Kamath) and an assortment of goons. Into the picture, pops do-gooder SP Abha Mathur (Priyanka Chopra). The woman knows her own mind and has a thing or two to say about the law and what she thinks of it.

Not one to be content just with talking the talk, she also walks the walk. Of course, there's much opposition coming from all quarters and even within her own ranks, but she powers on, until a tragedy strikes and she strikes back, with popular support.

What's hot:
Prakash Jha debuts as an actor with this film. And one has to say, he's a natural at it. But enough about him. This is Priyanka Chopra's film. And while she does justice to her role as Abha, it is her doggedness that shines through. As the director, Jha builds the framework in which to let Abha grow and develop her character, even though the graph is a tried-and-tested one. Strong female cops are no novelty in Bollywood, but they are rare, and Jha's attempt to bring PC in to be the lynchpin of his good-vs-bad drama deserves applause. That and of course, his social commentary through the film.

What's not: 
Well, there's quite a few things. There's the predictability for one. The setting, the basic plot, the characters, their motives are all been there-seen that. While it is nothing like Gangaajal, which starred Ajay Devgn, it does remind you of what made that film work. And while PC looks the part, there's this cloying feeling that she's trying too hard to 'act'. When the drama is at its height, you clench your teeth in frustration. Also, Jha might as well be billed as the film's leading man. He's there practically in every scene. In fact, you feel that some scenes may have been altered to suit his acting debut. And Manav Kaul comes off as such an over-the-top actor here. We've loved his past performances as an antagonist and never found cause for complaint with his histrionics, but here... it's godawful what he's made to do.

What to do: 
While PC plays a strong character, we can't say that the film has either - strength or character. It's contrived, a little too long for our liking and dragged out. Watch this only if you are a PC fan.