Gulab Gang

A delicious looking dish can taste disastrous

 

                Gulab Gang is the perfect example of a film whose makers are caught in a dilemma of intentions; an intention to make a film based on reality or an intention to add spice which they think will earn them money (apparently). Although most of the film makers in India suffer from this syndrome, Gulab Gang is the epitome of their condition.

                In a world of only grey characters, a story of pure Good Vs pure Evil can only be a fiction and that is exactly what the director didn’t take into his account while he wrote the story. Pretending to make a film about certain female groups in pink attire, from rural north India, director Soumik Sen adds enough of nonsense in it which he thinks will make his film saleable. Completely unnecessary songs pop up at regular intervals into the narrative; the seldom cheesy dialogues and weirdly vulgar sequences make it an annoying ride.

 



                Rajjo played by Madhuri Dixit, the gang leader is pitched against the Sumitra Devi played by Juhi Chawla in a local election. Sumirta’s dirty politics and the consequent vulnerability of Rajjo costs Rajjo the seat. The plot unfolds after the first half; until when you keep finding and questioning yourself whether you have missed it. Sen showcases a different way of storytelling with fleeting scenes of the different characters of the film. But it doesn’t always work in his favour; just as you get to appreciate one scene, the other pops up, and you are left a bit puzzled.

                Sen does provide some reality check of such feminist groups of India, their inspirational way of dealing with their problems and particularly, their self sufficiency. The action sequences are decently choreographed. Gulab Gang is one of the very few films of India where the actress swings her weapon to see five guys fly away. Dixit is terrific in the action and makes it look real.

                What Sen does best here is, is the casting of his actors. The ladies of the gang are perfect for their parts. But it is obviously the two leads of the film that catch all the attention. Dixit’s character doesn’t always let her perform a lot, but being the actor she is, she manages to bring the expected command onscreen. Chawla gets the meatiest role of the cruelly feminist politician, and she makes the most of it.

                Gulab Gang is easily not the best you have seen. Yet, it is entertaining in parts with its dialoguebazi and some inspirational sequences.

I am going with a 2.5 out of 5 for Soumik Sen’s Gulab Gang. Watch it for its leading ladies; they are the only saving grace.