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.