Film: Gulaab Gang
Rating: **1/2
Directed: Soumik Sen
Starring: Madhuri Dixit, Juhi Chawla Tannishtha Chatterjee, Divya Jagdale, Priyanka Bose
What it's about
First things first, it has not been based on Sampat Pal's life or her Gulaabi Gang. The co-incidence being pink sarees and their fight for women's rights somewhere in the north India. Rajoo (Madhuri Dixit) runs a ashram/gurukul that teaches girls and women how to fight. Madhuri has a gang of women who have been wronged by men. Juhi Chawla plays an evil politician.
What's good
There's the nostalgia factor — Madhuri Dixit and Juhi Chawla who reigned in the 90s and who never came together for a film actually share the screen space for the first time. And both the actresses bite into their roles with gusto. It is impressive that Sen chooses a women-centric subject that too based in the rural setting and tells an important story. But then fails to acknowledge the fact that he was inspired by Pal, thereby making it just another fictional story.Theatre actress Priyanka Bose's portrayal of her character is applaud worthy.
What's not
The film has a seen-that feel. Haven't there been enough films about rape, corruption, poverty and drama with villains, cops and politicians. Except that this time, it is a woman unleashing the hell and another women slicing and dicing the culprits. The song and dance in a film like this, was it really necessary? It could have become a memorable film like Mirchi and Mrityudand but in trying to be commercial, the film loses it's flavour.
What to do
Strictly for Madhuri and Juhi fans.
