After days of promotions, Abhishek Varman directorial Kalank has finally released in theaters. The Karan Johar production venture is one of the most anticipated releases of recent times. And not without reason. After all the multi-starrer boasts of a cast that includes some of the biggest names of Bollywood.
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Sanjay Dutt, Madhuri Dixit Nene, Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, Aditya Roy Kapur and Sonakshi Sinha will be seen playing pivotal roles in the period drama. While we know nothing of the plot yet, the film seems to revolve around the story of star-crossed lovers, played by Alia and Varun. Interestingly, Alia and Varun have previously worked together in Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, Badrinath Ki Dulhania and Student of the Year.
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Earlier, in an interview with Mid-day, Alia had revealed that working alongside Varun had been a blessing in the film. “Varun makes me feel comfortable at work and that’s essential because this is a difficult film. There is moral support when work gets overwhelming. I was shooting Brahmastra and Kalank simultaneously, and some days were just impossible to get by. It’s not easy to live up to Abhishek’s vision. Roop, my character, is a millennial living in the 40s. Her thought process may be evolved, but she is always graceful in her demeanour. We deliberately kept Roop imperfect. I like that because as an actor it’s a challenge to bring out the vulnerabilities of a character. Being perfect all the time is boring and a burden. The climax of the film was draining,” the actor said.
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The Indian Express film critic Shubhra Gupta wrote in her review, "Kalank doesn’t really lift off the screen. The whole feels like a giant set, stately and ponderous and minus impact; the characters all costumed and perfumed and largely life-less, sparking only in bits and pieces."
Also Read | Kalank movie review: All show and no go
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@me_agarwal wrote, "Crying at the climax of #Kalank . ? @Varun_dvn Overall a culmination of terrific performances by all! Great camerawork and music! Dialogues will create great impression! #KalankReview."
Amul Vikas Mohan tweeted, "#Kalank is one of those rare timeless sagas that stay with you for a long time! Beautifully detailed with every single frame a painting! @Varun_dvn and @aliaa08’s chemistry is sensational, while #AdityaRoyKapoor shines.. @MadhuriDixit remarkable and @sonakshisinha exceptional!"
@MovieCr53628737 tweeted, "The main highlight of the film #kalank is the acting is @Varun_dvn this man stole the show all the way."
Sumit Kadel wrote on his Twitter account, "#Kalank is a GARGANTUAN DISAPPOINTMENT. Film is a visual spectacle which lacks soul, odious screenplay, lousy writing, confused characterization. Director & writers had no clue about what & why is happening in the film. Kalank is a tortuous affair. Rating - ?."
@GuruFilmy tweeted, "Am leaving #kalank right now .. it's a torture .. SONAKSHI kidhar Hain no role .. Aditya wasted .. only varun overacting maa ka badla .. nakli PYAAR with Alia .. gaane khatam hi nahin hote. DISASTER #kalankreview."
"Kalank has been watched. Poor screenplay and Varun-Alia do nothing to lift it. It is their love story and they are the weakest performers. You just don't feel invested in Roop and Zafar's love story. Zafar is, in fact, a hate-mongerer and I don't know how to sympathise with him. Rest of the cast is much better but sadly doesn't get the screen time they deserved. That would have definitely enhanced the film. While some of the dialogues are impactful, most of them are mistimed, just added for effect. Extravagant sets, lovely costumes don't make a period drama. Emotions do. Sadly, Kalank misses emotions by a mile," writes Indianexpress.com's Priyanka Sharma.
Achint Kaur wrote on her Twitter account, "@kunalkemmu loved your character and you have performed it with such ease and finesse. Wishing you a rocking success. Congratulations ? #kalank."
"Just now only I finished watching #Kalank! What a shocking climax! Loved the film overall #KalankReview @duttsanjay #AdityaRoyKapur @Varun_dvn @MadhuriDixit @aliaa08 @sonakshisinha @ipritamofficial @OfficialAMITABH @ZeeMusicCompany @karanjohar @DharmaMovies @foxstarhindi," Anupama Raag tweeted.
"#OneWordReview… #Kalank: DISAPPOINTING. Rating: ??Doesn’t live up to the expectations... Writing, music, length play spoilsport... Few dramatic portions work... Second half engaging in parts... Good climax... Varun, Alia, Madhuri, Aditya, Kunal Kemmu top notch. #KalankReview," Taran Adarsh wrote on his Twitter account.
Television actor Karan Tacker tweeted, "Watched #Kalank last night,it is the most beautiful visual on screen! Cr to @abhivarman & BinodPradhan, especially love this one shot of Alia sitting in the sunlight , pure royalty! @aliaa08."
"Kudos to the team of #kalank for making a film that is a classic tale of love and revenge with stunning visuals and powerhouse performances ??@abhivarman @karanjohar @Varun_dvn @aliaa08 @kunalkemmu @sonakshisinha @MadhuriDixit #AdityaRoyKapur #SanjayDutt," Soha Ali Khan wrote on her Twitter account.
Rohit Jaiswal tweeted, "Words for #Kalank #KalankReview Kalank is a Perfect Example that High BUDGET, Multi Starcast, Massive Sets and Wide Release will nvr ensure Success, if your FILM LACK SOUL. Kalank = GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY WASTED. D*I*S*S*A*P*O*I*N*T*I*N*G . 1.5*/5 . #VarunDhawan #AliaBhatt."
@AfrojHussain6 tweeted, "Movie Review - #Kalank. Lengthy film, not a good story, acting is poor, screenplay bit slow,dialogues are also useless,this is one of the boring movies coming from @DharmaMovies .@Varun_dvn also good but not up to mark. Rate - ? 1/2 (1.5/5). TOTALLY KALANK . COLOSSAL DISSAPOINTED !."
Indianexpress.com's Priyanka Sharma says, "Kalank so far is bad. Alia is terrible in the film. You will miss Bhansali so much once you start watching Kalank. Sonakshi is so much better than anyone else and poor girl has the least screen time."
In an interview with indianexpress.com, Aditya Roy Kapur shared, "I think it is something to be flattered about. Director Abhishek Varman is a huge fan of Sanjay Leela Bhansali but this film definitely has an identity of its own and you would realise it after you have watched the film."
Film trade analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted, "#Kalank screen count. India: 4000 Overseas: 1300 Worldwide total: 5300 screens #Kalank is the widest release for Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt. Also, #Kalank is the widest release of 2019 so far. #MahaveerJayanti [Wed] and #GoodFriday [Fri] holidays will boost biz."
In an interview with indianexpress.com, Varun Dhawan said, “When I did Badlapur, I promised myself that I would not take an intense role until I get something as hard hitting as Raghu’s character. His back story convinced me to play that character. Otherwise, I did not want to take up a character just because I felt grown up or to prove that I can do it. But Zafar came with such an emotional arc that it made sense to take it up. I think action works when emotions are behind it. I think playing Zafar was very meaty in that sense. Most of the work was to remove Varun from it."
Nishant Bhuse tweeted, "Finally the screen lits up with earth shattering performances by two veterans @duttsanjay & @MadhuriDixit #Kalank @DharmaMovies @NGEMovies @foxstarhindi."
@_BhaveshPunjabi wrote on his account, "Saw #Kalank and really enjoyed the film @Varun_dvn is superb asusual Entire team has done a great job including @aliaa08 @sonakshisinha @duttsanjay @MadhuriDixit #AdityaRoyKapoor is GREAT 2nd part of the film is it's heart you won't be able to control ur emotions in it????."
Karan Singh Chhabra tweeted, "Jus saw #Kalank at d screening in presence of the cast. One more reason to watch it is for @MadhuriDixit. And the grace she brings to celluloid. Her scene with @duttsanjay N @Varun_dvn is epic. The bollywood masala movie buffs will love it #kalankreview."
Journalist Umair Sandhu wrote on his Twitter account, "Review #Kalank from UAE Censor Board. In fact, it won't be erroneous to state that Varun and Alia add strength and solidity to their respective parts. Varun gets the attitude of the character spot-on and pulls up a winning act. Both Stole the Show all the way. ????."
Sophie Chaudry watched Kalank on Tuesday evening at the special screening and she is unable to stop herself from thinking about the film. She tweeted, "Still thinkin about #kalank ..And what remains with u apart from the magic of @aliaa08 & @Varun_dvn which is sublime..is the most beautiful theme song..uff..Goosebumps every time u hear it! Big love & Tku @ipritamofficial & @raiisonai for giving us yet another epic love anthem?"
Kalank will release in 4000 screens in India.
Varun Dhawan posted on Twitter, "KALANK in theatres now #Zafar aap ka hain. A character I loved playing in this epic love story. No spoilers please."
Karan Johar wrote on Twitter, "It begins today, step into the world of #Kalank! In cinemas NOW! @duttsanjay #AdityaRoyKapur @Varun_dvn @aliaa08 @sonakshisinha @MadhuriDixit @abhivarman"
Abhishek Bachchan took to Twitter and wished luck to Kalank's team. He wrote, "All the best @karanjohar @duttsanjay, @MadhuriDixit, @aliaa08, @Varun_dvn, @sonakshisinha, Aditya and Varman for the release of #Kalank today. Go watch guys!"
"Mesmerised by the magic of #Kalank ! @aliaa08 we know ur an incredible actor & in this ur beyond beautiful too! @Varun_dvn the blood,sweat & tears u put into Zafar shows..ur outstanding!Loved Adi & look out for @kunalkemmu. Congrats @abhivarman @karanjohar @DharmaMovies LOVED??," Sophie Choudry said via Twitter.
Celebrity hair-dresser Aalim Hakim is blown away by Kalank. He took to his Facebook account and wrote, "Saw #Kalank .. It’s beautiful & very cinematic.. Loved each n every performance in the film Varun Dhawan is mind blowing as always Aditya Roy Kapur has shocked with his powerful performance Sanjay Dutt is intense Alia Bhatt is brilliant as always Sonakshi Sinha is superb Kunal Khemu is very good and Mudhuri Dixit is such a treat to watch. Kalank is very beautifully executed film with a grt story .. Binod Pradhan’s Cinematography is wow.. Abhishek Varman’s direction is brilliant. Kalank is a beautiful canvas ..... A must watch"
Actor Hiten Tejwani, who has a special appearance in Karan Johar's epic drama Kalank, is all praise for Varun Dhawan. The actor took to Twitter and mentioned, "He’s gonna blow your mind with his power packed performance ..Superb my friend ..u r too good as Zafar...Don’t miss it guys ..Tomorrow #kalank"
Milap Zaveri tweeted, "#Kalank is an epic SAGA directed like an auteur by @abhivarman His vision is HUGE! @Varun_dvn is EXTRAORDINARY! Ekdum FIRST CLASS! @aliaa08 is DIVINE! Aditya is BRILLIANT! @sonakshisinha wins and breaks your heart! Bravo @karanjohar Sajid bhai @FoxStarIndia What DILDAAR producers. Twitter doesn’t allow enough characters so a separate tweet for @karanjohar @apoorvamehta18 @WardaNadiadwala Sajid bhai @FoxStarIndia for #Kalank To support the vision of a director the way they have is BRILLIANT! ?????"
Shashank Khaitan shared on Twitter, "#Kalank is a visual treat ... Its beautiful and Cinematic... its a fantastical world with a real heart... #AbhishekVerman super job Abhi... #AdityaRoyKapur is superb in the film ...@sonakshisinha is so good in a lovely cameo... @karanjohar @apoorvamehta18 @DharmaMovies. #kalank @MadhuriDixit is class personified... no one has ADA like her @duttsanjay his eyes brooding intensity like none other... @kunalkemmu is so good in his portrayal of a complex character. #Kalank @aliaa08 and @Varun_dvn are superb... their eyes speak a thousand words. Their chemistry is electric. Be it Love or Loss, they turn everything into MAGIC ...@karanjohar @apoorvamehta18 @DharmaMovies"
Neha Dhupia posted on Twitter, "#kalank ..Loved every character of this classic romance @MadhuriDixit so graceful #SanjayDutt so powerful,Adi n @sonakshisinha so gorgeous @kunalkemmu so impactful n the ones I could nt take my eyes off @aliaa08 @Varun_dvn .Congrats Abhi @karanjohar @apoorvamehta18 u ve a winner!"