Andhra Pradesh

A ‘daag’ on Rani’s acting skills Film Review

MIXED MOMENTS: Pradeep Sarkar’s “Laaga Chunari Mein Daag” provides familiar but interesting fare.

Film: Laaga Chunari Mein Daag

Cast: Rani Mukerji, Konkona Sen,

It is time for nostalgia all over again. Nostalgia, the Yash Raj way. So, “Laaga Chunari Mein Daag”, essentially a 1970s’ style film, comes replete with designer beauty: sunlight slips over wilting leaves, a ray sneaks in through little cracks in creaky doors. And for the first hour or so there is a languid air that is comforting. Even sorrow comes with an exquisite shade. As the cinematographer indulges himself, we have a visual treat.

But hey, “Laaga Chunari…” is not supposed to be just a beautiful showcase. Thank God. Narrating the timeless tale of a poor little small town girl who comes to the big city to make her ends meet only to realise that men can be sharks, director Pradeep Sarkar’s film is yesterday speaking today’s language, dressed in today’s attire. And therein lies the film’s strength, also its weakness. Rani Mukerji, with false eyelashes and all, and Konkona Sen, play lovey-dovey sisters in a simple Banaras household. Their father, Anupam Kher does not earn a penny, and mother, Jaya Bachchan, is at the sewing machine under a dim light at night – hey, that ‘70’s touch! They are poor – well, as poor as mainstream cinema allows Sarkar which is essentially not much. So, the two girls sings a song at the ghats, play pranks on their mom, and lo the elder sets out to earn bread and butter in the big, bad world of Mumbai. No prizes for guessing not many Good Samaritans would be waiting for her there! But come on, Sarkar, why should every unskilled girl who comes to the city use the one and only asset? They did it in the 1950’s cinema. We shed a tear. They did it again in 1960s and 1970s. We understood. But here? And pray, why should their diction change so dramatically when the girls travel from Banaras to Mumbai and back? One moment, they struggle with their English, next moment with their native language.

But leave these little jarring notes aside. Also forget that the film could have been better edited, which would have made better impact on the discerning audience. And the fact that the men here – Abhishek Bachchan and Kunal Kapoor – are nothing more than mere props. But actually the film is better than good. The way the story progresses it keeps you interested.

One moment we want to know how Rani would cope with her new job of an escort, next moment, we would want know how her mom would react to the work. Then there is the sibling angle with the little sister also landing up in the city with an MBA degree! All nice little interesting twists and turns. Where Sarkar is let down is by the leading actress. Rani is quite close to being fake here: she has ample scope to prove her talent as the film revolves around her, and there is barely a frame where she is not present.

Yet she does not go beyond two rehearsed expressed, and cleavage revelation. Result? Konkona Sen comes out trumps in the acting stakes.As the innocent girl, she is lively and plausible. As a caring sister, she is outstanding. She imparts little glances which make you want to see more of her. Drawback? Stay away from those running around the trees songs, please.

So, if you are inclined towards cinema that belongs to your dad’s generation but is stylised enough to be contemporary, “Laaga Chunari…” is not a bad bargain.

ZIYA US SALAM

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