Entertainment: Mar 9, 2012

Clutching her stroller in one hand, the other strongly gripping her passport and a bottle of Evian, a very pregnant Vidya Bagchi steps from Kolkata International Airport, and almost immediately appears lost, even as half a dozen cabbies heckle her for business.

'Kahaani', written and directed by Sujoy Ghosh, hit the ground running with Vidya Balan playing the helpless Mrs. Bagchi, who arrived from London in search of her missing husband, Arnab. With a sympathetic cop to help her on this mission, Vidya combs every corner of Kolkata. But all the leads go cold - the inn he was staying at the National Center for Data where he had been assigned, even the Indian immigration authorities have no records of Arnab Bagchi. When it seems her husband disappearance could inexplicably linked to the most wanted terrorist, Vidya pokes her nose around in dangerous places, angering the Intelligence Bureau who tries desperately to keep some secrets hidden.

Taut and refreshingly original, the script of 'Kahaani' keeps you on your toes with his tendency to throw surprises and twists at every turn. The emphasis here on the story - which is Arnab Bakshi? Does he exist outside Vidya's head?

As it is integral to all good stories, Ghosh creates solid characters. It is the do-gooder rookie cop Frog, played by Parambrata Chatterjee, who is constantly Vidya side. His antagonist is the surly Intelligence Bureau officer Khan, played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who want the search abandoned. In 'Kahaani', is attention to detail served even a bit impish characters such as target child in the shelter who becomes friends with Vidya and sinister a contract killer who bumps off his victims after greeting them cordially.

In order to reveal more details is to let spoilers in this mystery, but there are some contentious script twists that you do not take a shine to. Ghosh, however, covers the majority of their songs, so when you work your way back, there is a logic (flimsy at times) applied to these twists.

Because this is a movie filmed in real places, there are times you will notice viewers looking directly at the actors, a minor pitfall, however, that jars. It is difficult to imagine this film set in any other city, because Kolkata is everywhere, almost like a real character in 'Kahaani'. Set during the Durga Puja festival, the city is in turn warm and menacing, and the camera captures Kolkata with so much love, that you will attracted to her. Watch as it reflects the mood as Rana softens before Vidya, or the frenetic energy that city in the grip of Puja lends to its dramatic climax.

Expectedly, 'Kahaani' unspools as a one-woman story, so Vidya Balan reveals once again that she can carry a film, even without other recognizable star. She is alternately strong, fierce, vulnerable, playful and charming, that you sometimes unsettled by these shifting emotions. What she does do is lend an undeniable credit to his role, and to this thriller, making you take a walk with her every step of this journey. Bengali actor Parambrata Chatterjee receive any sensitive nuance of his position spot-on, because the police officer who helps her along the way, and endears himself entirely to the viewer. Nawazuddin Siddiqui, meanwhile, has an angry presence that commands the room with all the pithy dialogue he spouts.

In the end, 'Kahaani' feels longer than its 115 minutes running time, partly because there is no escape from its gritty tone. However, the suspense is consistently fast, and the story well executed. Word for the haunting background score that only adds to the mood of the film. I'm going with three-and-a half of five for director Sujoy Ghosh's 'Kahaani'. The film delivers on its promise, and keep you guessing until the very end. It is a delicious thriller - not lose it.

Entertainment

Friday, March 9, 2012

Masand: A taut 'Kahaani' is a delicious thriller

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