Movie Review: Laaga Chunari Mein Daag

Cast: Rani Mukherjee (Badki), Konkona Sen Sharma (Chutki), Jaya Bachchan (Sabitri), Anupam Kher (Shivshankar Sahay), Kunal Kapoor (Vivaan) and Abhishek Bachchan (Rohan)

Director: Pradeep Sarkar

10 minutes into the film and you’ll say “oh I know it all nowl”! Yes, that’s how predictable Pradeep Sarkar’s Lagaa Chunri Mein Daag is.

And to be honest, Sarkar hasn’t really tread the road not taken. All those who remember K Balachander’s Aaina (1977), would know what exactly I mean. Then it was Mumtaz, who was forced to become a prostitute to run her family and now it’s Rani, who allowed others to feast on her body for the same reason.

Shivshankar Sahay is a retired Economics professor, who was denied pension, when he refused to accept the unfair terms and conditions. Although beset by extreme poverty, Sahay accepts the defeat and prefers to sit back and rely on a ‘lucky’ lottery tickets that would change his fortune one day.

During such moments of crisis, it is Sabitri acts like the anchor of the family. She spends sleepless nights stitching clothes to earn some money.

Badki and Chutki, are the daughters of Shivshankar Sahay and Sabitri –spunky spirited and naughty.

But Badki understands the deteriorating condition of her family and when things begin to go out of hand, she decides to take the rein in her control. She goes to Mumbai to make a living. But the only deal offered to this ‘unqualified’ and ‘unmodern’ girl is money in return for her gorgeous body.

The unending family woes forces Badki to succumb to the dark forces. And then there’s no looking back for her.

She morphs into Natasah, shifts into a luxurious apartment, owns a chauffeur-driven car, travels the world and even finds the magic of love. But knowing her compromis-filled life, she runs far away from it.

Things back home begin to improve. Her father recovers. The house is renovated. The lost magic returns and Chutki too completes her studies.

And then the twist. Chutki shifts to Mumbai for a job and Badki’s life takes a dramatic turn.

While Chutki finds success at work and meets the man she wishes to marry, Badki keeps battling the dark shadows from enveloping her sister and family.

But her dual life is exposed before her sister. And soon the entire family is thrown in a tumultuous storm.

And then… Well just remember…’predictable.. predictable.. predictable’..!

But predictability apart, the film at times seems endless. Certain scenes are somewhat dragged uselessly, so much so that you feel like saying, “OK, I got the point, let’s move ahead”!

As for the songs, well ‘hum to aise hain bhaiya…’ is the one. Don’t expect more. If you can dance to its tune, do it. There ain’t any surprise package.

But hey, the film does have some goodies too.

Everything apart, Sarkar has done a decent job. Taking care of the smallest details, Laagaa… is a technical treat indeed. The screenplay is energetic, colourful and lively.

Performances are not something really to talk about. Sarkar has roped in all the Bollywood’s brrilants and has extracted awesome acts too.

Rani, Konkona and Jaya are a pleasure to watch. Rani has handled the character very elegantly, Jaya has portrayed multi-faceted mother in the most realistic manner. But it is Konkona who needs a special mention. Quite unlike all her roles, she seems to be a complete ‘Yashraj’ heroine. Yet, if given a bigger stage, she could have done better.

As for the male actors, well they don’t really have much to do. Abhishek is hardly there. But yes, the actor has a gripping screen presence. Kunal Kapoor is decent. And Anupam Kher has also done justice to his role.

Don’t expect a bonanza, don’t look out for a powerful punch and don’t bother about the much-expected moments. If you can achieve these ‘don’ts’, then go ahead and take the plunge. It’s not bad. But it’s not up to the mark.