BOLLYWOOD
Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai stars Manoj Bajpayee as a lawyer fighting the case of a minor raped by a godman and is inspired by the Asaram Bapu case.
Director: Apoorva Singh Karki
Cast: Manoj Bajpayee, Adrija, Surya Mohan Kulshrestha, Vipin Sharma, Jai Hind Kumar, Durga Sharma
Where to watch: Zee5
Rating: 4.5 stars
Not very often do you come across a film with a runtime of 132 minutes that is a slow-burn, without any song or dance, and yet manages to keep you on the egde of the seat for its entire duration. That feat, itself, should earn Apoorva Singh Karki’s Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai a standing ovation. But the film manages to do much more. A smartly-written and brilliantly-acted courtroom drama, this film shows why Manoj Bajpayee rules the OTT space like no other.
Insired by true events, Bandaa is based on the rape case in which self-proclaimed godman Asaram Bapu was sent to prison. The film follows the five-year-long legal battle fought by the minor victim (Adrija) and her family, with the help of Jodhpur-based advocate PC Solanki (Manoj Bajpayee). The film does not name the godman (filmmakers say they only had the rights for Solanki) but remains faithful to the details of the case and what transpired both inside and outside the courtroom from 2013-18.
Bandaa is a very faithful retelling of a real incident. And yet, it is an engaging story too. It does not compromise on the storytelling in the bid to stay close to the reality. Achieving that delicate balance is something writer Deepak Kingrani and director Apoorva Singh Karki have managed quite well.
The film also stays away from the histrionics, dialoguebaazi, and melodrama that several Hindi-language courtroom dramas have resorted to over the years. And yet, it never looks dry. Certain scenes where the lawyers use their legal knowhow to argue are so well written that even laymen can follow without feeling as if the film is getting preachy. As far as legal and courtroom dramas go, Bandaa is one of the best Bollywood has produced ever, not just in recent years.
Bandaa also succeeds in very sensitively portraying a delicate case. Despite being about a rape, it never explicitly depicts the sexual assault or talks about the attack in any insensitive manner. The scenes where someone describes the assault are designed to evoke feelings of disgust and shame, something the film manages well. Amid all the legal drama and sensitive depiction of assault, the film even manages to infuse some humour but not in a manner that distracts you from the seriousness of it all. But it does exist as a reminder that life is not all serious.
The film hinges on the masterful performance of Manoj Bajpayee. Time and again, the veteran actor has raised the bar of dramatic performances. In Bandaa, yet again, as the small-town lawyer Solanki, he balances the man’s conviction and tentativeness so beautifully that the character becomes a breathing human that you can relate too. He brings out Solanki’s inner conflicts and his dry humour in his trademark style in a manner so deft that I feel it should be taught in acting schools. Some of his long monologues (particularly the closing argument) should rank among the best scenes of Bajpayee’s illustrious career.
But it’s not as if that it’s a one-man show. Among the rest of the cast, Adrija, who plays the victim Nu, shines in her limited scenes. Vipin Sharma also excels in the difficult task of depicting a human, almost-sympathetic portrayal of the defence lawyer, the man tasked with defending the rapist. The seasoned actor brings his A-game to show a human side of what could very well have otherwise been a ‘negative’ character. Among the rest of the cast, Surya Mohan Kulshrestha as the baba and Jai Hind Kumar as the victim’s father also do justice to their difficult roles.
Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai excels in almost department. The music sets the tone but does not hammer down the points. It also neatly evokes the sense of urgency (and often dread) needed in the narrative. The writing is crisp with all characters written like well-rounded humans and not carictaures or stereotypes. Full marks to Deepak Kingrani for including the track about faith and religion in a way that is so organic and matter-of-fact that you wonder if countering polarisation is really that simple.
My one complain with Bandaa starts and ends in the first four minutes – the opening credits are set to a title track that is a bit too peppy and off-key for this film. But the remaining 2 hours are enough for me to ‘forgive’ that easily. Bandaa is one of the rare films in the ‘must watch’ category to come out of Hindi cinema of late. Come for a Manoj Bajpayee masterclass, and stay for a lesson in how to make an entertaining, engaging film on a serious, sensitive issue. Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai releases on Zee5 on May 23.
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio IPO worth Rs 840960 crore in 2025: All you need to know
After India's 0-3 loss against New Zealand, Shah Rukh Khan calls Gautam Gambhir...
BIG revelation on Imane Khelif, Olympic gold medallist boxer's medical repot leaked, it confirms…
Meet man who built Rs 152000 crore company, donated Rs 100 crore, now set to lead US firm as...
Visa Uncertainty: Impact of US polls on global talent
Virat Kohli turns 36: IPL franchises send heartwarming birthday wishes to legendary India cricketer
Meet Sanjay Verma, the new DGP of Maharashtra who replaced Rashmi Shukla
Anushka Sharma shares FIRST photo of Akaay, Vamika to celebrate Virat Kohli’s birthday
CAT 2024 admit card to be out today at iimcat.ac.in; know release time, steps to download
Vikas Divyakirti UPSC Tips: Check strategy to crack IAS exam, aspirants should study for...
Video of Pakistani man putting hand into chained tiger's mouth goes viral, social media reacts
Shalini Passi reveals her husband's connection to Shah Rukh Khan's wife Gauri Khan, they were..
SC upholds validity of UP madrassa law, says it does not violate principle of secularism
US Presidential Elections 2024: What time do the polls close; when will the results be known?
Elon Musk shares controversial post on X amid US election results, video goes viral
Mukesh Ambani's company earned Rs 15393 crore last week, his net worth now stands at...
Chhath Puja 2024: Know about Kharna, Sandhya Arghya, Usha Arghya, date, timings and puja vidhi
Virat Kohli Birthday: Legendary batter turns 36, here's a look at his incredible milestones
When Ratan Tata met his first true love after 50 years, went for dinner together, know who she was
Samantha Ruth Prabhu hits back at trolls who body-shamed her: 'If you guys...'
Two fall prey to Narayana Murthy and Mukesh Ambani's deepfake videos, lose Rs 80 lakh: Report
North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles toward sea ahead of US election
Deepika Padukone romances Hrithik Roshan in Bikini, looks sizzling hot in UNSEEN viral video
Chhath Puja 2024: Top 50 wishes, What'sApp messages, quotes to share with your loved ones
Meet Caroline Emmons, Ratan Tata's 'first love' with whom he couldn't marry due to...
Who is Rohan Jaitley, frontrunner to replace Jay Shah as BCCI secretary?
World’s most expensive human tooth is valued over Rs 3000000, it belonged to…
Viral video: Little girl’s adorable dance to Lisa Haydon’s 'Manali Trance' impresses internet, watch
SC to deliver its verdict on pleas against Allahabad HC order scrapping UP madrasa law today
DNA TV Show: Why Election Commission changed Assembly by-elections' dates
Days after imposing fine on Anil Ambani, Sebi now issues Rs 130 crore demand notices to...
Thailand announces indefinite visa-free entry for Indian travellers
Meet daughter of billionaire, who studied in UK, now works in Rs 32770 crore Indian company as...
MUDA case: Lokayukta police summon Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah for questioning on...
This city is 4000 years old, belongs to bronze age where 500 people lived, it is located in...
Kamala Harris has been the President of US before? Here's when and how
What is elimination inflammation diet that helped Vidya Balan lose weight?
Shah Rukh Khan feels breathless after quitting smoking: Know withdrawal symptoms, how to manage them
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal takes action on vendor for mislabelling mushrooms at Hyperpure warehouse
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance shares fell by 3%, loses Rs 50205 crore in one day due to...
IAF's MiG-29 crashes near Agra in Uttar Pradesh, pilot ejects safely, court of inquiry ordered
Driving Growth and Monetization at Zendesk: A Conversation with Darshit Thakkar
Can air pollution make you fat? Know how high AQI impact your health
Locanto Addresses Challenges and Innovations in Indian Education System
Nita Ambani stuns in floral co-ord set while Anant, Mukesh Ambani go casual in Dubai
Indian Railway to launch this 'SUPER APP', passengers can now..., know details here
Who is Rashmi Shukla, IPS officer whom EC removed as Maharashtra DGP?
This village in India allows men to have two wives, living under one roof due to…
AUS vs PAK, 1st ODI: Australia beat Pakistan by 2 wickets to take 1-0 lead in series