Laaga Chunari Mein Daag: Journey of a Woman (2007)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

Pradeep Sarkar

Writer:

Pradeep Sarkar (writer)

Release Date:

12 October 2007 (Australia)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Based in Varanasi, Shivshankar Sahay lives a poor lifestyle along with his wife, Savitri, and two daughters...

Plot Keywords:

Poverty | Title Based On Song | Prostitute

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Rani Mukherjee	...	Vibhavari 'Badki' S. Sahay / Natasha (as Rani Mukherji)
Abhishek Bachchan	...	Rohan Verma
Konkona Sen Sharma	...	Subhavari 'Chutki' S. Sahay
Jaya Bhaduri	...	Savitri S. Sahay
Kunal Kapoor	...	Vivaan Varma
Anupam Kher	...	Shivshankar 'Shibu' Sahay
Hema Malini	...	Dulariya
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Bharati Achrekar	...	Sahay's neighbor
Tinnu Anand	...	Rajshankar 'Rajjo' Sahay
Harsh Chhaya
Ninad Kamat
Kamini Kaushal	...	Mrs. Verma
Ameya Pandya
Suchitra Pillai-Malik	...	Michelle
Taraana Raja	...	Sophia
Murli Sharma
Shriya Sharma
Sushant Singh	...	Ratan R. Sahay

Country:

India

Language:

Hindi | Bhojpuri

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Ireland:12A

Filming Locations:

Benares, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

Company:

Apocalypse Filmworks Productions

Movie Connections:

References Chak De! India (2007)

Soundtrack:

Hum To Aise Hain Baiyaan

Certainly not the Disappointment critics said, but It had far more potential

I saw this movie and I must say that it is far from a great film, but it is an enjoyable fare. I really question the critics who labeled it as terrible. Trust me, it really isn't. However, the movie is full flaws which do affect the movie in many ways. However, they are many positives.

The story is relatively simple and interesting. But the screenplay is weak along with the editing. For example, Rani becomes a prostitute, but what annoyed me is that her friend somewhat convinces her and trains her? Couldn't she have done other jobs. The first half is quite good. The second half makes a complete shift to Konkona Sen Sharma which changes the feeling of the movie. The movie also has a subplot which serves little purpose despite constantly annoying us throughout the entire movie.

The ending is very controversial. It is predictable, but it has its moments of being touching and disappointment. The dialogues are boring which is one flaw, and Abhishek's character gives no justification for his actions. I mean, I was touched, but could it have been a little more realistic. Also the movie is very melodramatic in many scenes and the viewer will yawn.

The best part of the movie are the performances. Rani and Konkona give equally great performances. Rani was a bit predictable in her performance, but is still touching. Konkona proves her switch from art cinema to commercial cinema does not change how good of an actress. Both also look gorgeous. Abhishek Bachchan and Kunal were okay. Jaya Bachchan was good in the first half, but looked nauseous in the second half and was too melodramatic. Anupam Kher was okay, but his character was not really likable. And the relatives were very annoying.

Songs do their purpose. They fit the film well. I do not have a favorite song. Hum to Aise Hai was picturized like Dhadak Dhadak (Bunty Aur Babli ) and Rani and Konkona look great together. Kacchi Kaliyan will make you want to dance. The title song will touch your heart. Zara Gungunalein Chalo was a cute song and Abhishek-Rani look great. Ik Teekhi Teekhi Si Ladki also was a nice song and Konkona-Kunal look great. The mujra by Hema Malini was also great and she impresses in her few scenes. One wonders why Rekha played Umrao Jaan instead of Hema Malini as Hema looks the part more than Rekha.

The movie may be far from great, but critics are trashing this movie unnecessarily. It is a interesting movie that does have lots of flaws, but also has two great performances and nice songs which make the movie worthwhile.