Gulab Gang
Year: 2014
Director: Soumik Sen
Cast: Madhuri Dixit, Juhi Chawla

A real life inspired story pitting two of the most loved actresses from the nineties. A court injunction at the last moment by the lady on whose life, this film is based. Gulab Gang, a film apparently inspired by a Bundel Khand-based social vigilante Sampat Pal and her Gulabi Gang, created the right pre-release buzz. But did it justify that?

What’s the plot?

Denied an opportunity to study in a school by her stepmother, a determined girl (Madhuri Dixit) grows up to be a messiah for the poor, downtrodden women. Her river-side ashram not only does offer free basic education to village girls, it also teaches the local womenfolk to stand up for their own rights. Her Gulab Gang (Named so for the ladies donning pink saris!) champions the cause of the underprivileged and it is not averse to wielding scythes and lathis against the goons if needed. A skirmish with a corrupt local MLA pits the Gulab Gang leader against the State’s most powerful and ruthless politician (Juhi Chawla), a lady who would go to any length to cling to power. As the bloody conflict takes a political turn, things turn uglier. Where will this good versus evil fight between two iron-willed ladies end up?

What’s hot?

·        Writer-director-composer Soumik Sen does a fair job of presenting an interesting women-centric socio-political drama, set in rural North India. His folksy songs are appealing.

·        Juhi Chawla does a 360 degree turn from her sweet girl next-door image and delivers a powerful negative performance. Her portrayal of a vicious, vindictive and self-engrossed politician is sure to be nominated in the best villain category at all the award ceremonies.

·        The supporting cast is good- especially Divya Jagdale leaves a mark with a feisty performance.

·        The song-dance and action sequences are well-shot.

What’s not?

·        Madhuri Dixit is hampered by a poorly defined, low key role. Her character fails to strike a chord because the writer-director fails to show its emotional background. You never really understand how and why the lady turned into a gang leader. You are also left in the dark about her personal life!

·        The second half of the film is muddled and the climax unconvincing.

·        The songs in second half could have been skipped.

·        The dialogues needed more spark.

Verdict

Gulab Gang is an interesting film with good performances but it is hampered by one major flaw. When there are two strong characters pitted against each other, the audience expects to know them both intimately. That gives them the reasons to love the protagonist or hate antagonist. Had the writer-director not sidestepped that important part of character development in favour of the commercial song-dance-action elements, the film could have turned into a really gripping drama.

Rating:

3 stars