Laaga Writing Mein Daag.... Review on Laaga Chunari Mein Daag

Pradeep Sarkar proved he could direct women-oriented issues well with Parineeta. With Laaga Chunari Mein Daag he proves his mettle yet again. Good direction, great performances by Rani and Konkona and excellent technicals are the saving grace for Laaga Chunari Mein Daag. The movie fails hugely in the writing department. Read on

Story:

Badki(Rani) and Chutki(Konkona) stay with their parents in Varanasi. Due to financial difficulties Badki has left her education and helps her mom Savitri(Jaya) at home for stitching. She chooses to go to Bombay for a better future for her family. After many unsuccessful attempts at getting a job, due to lack of qualifications...she turns to high class prostitution under an alias of Natasha. Then Chutki comes to Bombay and that is where the story takes a twist....how will Badki hide her secret from Chutki? Love comes in the life of both women but Badki's true work profile could possibly endanger their family and love life.

*Performances:

*Rani Mukherjee is easily the best of the lot…obviously the movie being centred around her. Konkona Sen Sharma is yet again very efficient and her transition from an immature girl to a sensitive woman is well done. Jaya Bachchan is alright. Kunal Kapoor is cute in a tiny role. Anupam Kher is largely sidelined by Jaya Bachchan. Suchitra Pillai and Ninad Kamat are adequate. Sushant Singh barely gets any scope to show his immense talent. Abhishek Bachchan is there just for the heck of it…heaven knows why he signed this film.

*Positives:

1)** Kickass cinematography is truly evident in most Yashraj films these days. Their films thrive on superior technicals these days. Kudos to Sushil Rajpal for the same.

2) Couple of well handled scenes depicting emotional instability.

3) Excellent screen chemistry between Konkona Sen Sharma and Kunal Kapoor.

Flaws:(Haha…dozens of them)

1) The mujra scene with Hema Malini is far to grand for a tiny city like Varanasi, which is evident the way the upbringing of the sister brings across in the narrative.

2) The opening song seems so rehearsed and canned. It required more spontaneity.

3) When Rani comes to Bombay there is a Chak De India poster right outside C.S.T. Where did that come from?? Atop one of Chak De India’s song plays in the background. Its so forced.

4) Rani Mukherjee travels in the general compartment of a train alone at night…?? There is a ladies compartment specially for ladies in Bombay local trains. Hello??

5) Harsh Chhaya gives Rani Mukherjee 10K in denominations of 100 rupees notes from a closed wallet. How in the world did his wallet close with 100 notes in it??

6 ) The Switzerland song between Rani-Abhishek is so typically Yashraj…reminds a bit of ‘Chak de’ from Hum Tum(which was also a Yashraj film)

7) Sushant Singh traces Rani Mukherjee so perfectly?? He knows what she does and how much she charges even. Really careless.

8) The over-exaggeration on Kunal Kapoor’s character in his cabin while eating the burger is so obvious. Doesn’t go well with the mood of the film. Rest of the cast is introduced well.

9) When Konkona discovers about Rani’s true job profile….a manager of a 5 star hotel tells her. Since when did 5 star hotels divulge confidential details about their clients to unknown strangers?? The writing here is so careless.

10) The song at Konkona’s wedding is so unnecessary. It looks completely forced.

11) An extremely abrupt ending. You’re thinking that the story will take a small twist now and suddenly the movie ends. Huh??

Good Scenes:

1) Good interspersing between Rani Mukherjee’s talk with Harsh Chhaya and Kher’s scene in the hospital. Shows helplessness surrounding the family from all sides.

2) The proposal scene between Kunal and Konkona is done really well with the broccoli on the fork. Really had the audience in splits.

3) The confrontation scene between Konkona and Rani is really nice. Pradeep Sarkar scores big time here.

4) After Abhishek proposes Rani, there is a wonderful scene in a room with the mother and her 2 daughters. Its wonderful to see their emotions so well captured. Konkona is particularly fantastic in this scene.

Tech Specs:

1) A scene where Rani comes to Suchitra’s house and the reflection scene in the mirror captured with a Mid-Shot. It tries to get the viewer connected with Rani’s feelings.

2) During Rani’s transition from a simple girl to a sophisticated esc*rt the title track ‘Laaga Chunari Mein Daag’ plays in the background. It can be heard but does not distract the viewer. Great audiography.

3) After Rani’s transition there is a Point-of-View shot taken from her home balcony over the city of Bombay….shows the city from her view point.

4) The first song between Konkona and Kunal ‘Ik Teekhi Teekhi Si’ is shot extremely well with a combination of Cover Long Shots, Establishing Long Shots and Mid-Shots. Very interesting cinematographic medley with many pans and tilts.

5) The confrontation scene between Konkona and Rani is shot well with a combination of Over-the-Shoulder and Close Shots.

*My Verdict:

*Laaga Chunari Mein Daag is a well directed movie with several writing flaws which create plotholes. But it is a must see for great performances by Rani and Konkona and excellent technical.