Who Killed Arushi?. Review on Talvar

The Aarushi murder case in 2008, shook the conscience of a nation. Aarushi Talwar a vivacious  14 yr old, just days short of her 15th birthday, was found brutally murdered in the bedroom of her home. Hemraj who used to work as a servant was also founded murdered on the terrace. The case saw many twists and turns, with the court declaring her parents, a dentist couple, Rajesh and Nupur Talwar as the culprits. Apparently it was a case of honor killing, as they caught her in a compromising position with their servant. But truth be told, it is a case which to date is not clear. The investigation was botched from the start, with the UP police making a royal mess of everything, and then the CBI equally messing it up. Even now the case is still subjudice and it's still not resolved.

In the meantime, we had the media, playing judge, jury and executioner, as they did their own investigations, pronounced their own verdicts. The character of a young teenage girl was besmirched, and dragged through the mud by an over enthusiastic media. And a tragedy was turned into a circus.

Talvar, takes a look at the case, albeit in a more fictional narrative. Though the disclaimer is there about it being a work of fiction, it is pretty much apparent, it's on the Arushi case. The changes are cosmetic though, the Talwars become Tandons, Aarushi becomes Shruti in the movie, the servant Hemraj becomes Khempal. While the real life parents Rajesh and Nupur Talwar, become Ramesh Tandon( Neeraj Kabi) and Nutan Tandon( Konkona Sen Sharma).   That apart the narration mirrors the real life events and incidents, including the locations, shot mostly in Noida and Delhi.  Pretty much in line with the real story, Shruti Tandon is found killed and the local UP cops are asked to investigate. After a rather ham handed investigation, the case passes to CBI( changed to CDI for the movie), officer Ashwin Kumar( Irrfan Khan). It would not be too good to give away what happens next, but the movie looks at the murder from 2 different angles, both diametrically opposite, but both seeming equally valid.

And that is where the strength of the movie lies, in that instead of getting into a melodramatic, super cop track, it shows the case from all angles and leaves it to the audience to decide. Credit due to Meghna Gulzar, who does her father proud, with some really good direction. Her first two movies as a director were not too great, but with Talvar, one can say she has arrived. Of course she is helped by some solid writing by Vishaal Bharadwaj behind the scenes. The best part is that the narration sticks to the point, and does not deviate too much. Even the scenes between Irfan and Tabu( wasted in a small role) don't intrude much with the flow. Right from the start to the end, you are hooked on to the narration, that is tight, well constructed.  The way the UP cops botch up the investigation, with their careless attitude is well shown. The cops come in ensure all traces of the crime are wiped out, with their sheer monumental stupidity. The CBI( I mean CDI in the movie) does not come out in a very good light either, with it's own set of rivalries, pettiness, and officers indulging in  game of one up manship over each other. Both the cops and CDI, are more interested in closing the case, and their personal glory, than any meaningful resolution.

The movie also depicts well how the media turns a tragedy into a circus, one particularly impressive scene, of a media channel, turning it into some kind of TV spectacle, with an over excited anchor screaming aloud. Another scene, where you have some sundry experts, pronouncing the parents as guilty, just by some random observations on TV.  At the end of it, you are still not sure clear of the culprits, but what you see is how one upmanship and ego ruined the investigation forever. The investigating agencies are more interested in their personal glory, than seeking real justice. And honest, determined officers like Ashwin Kumar end up as pawns to be sacrificed.

Among the actors, Irrfan is first rate as usual, with his wise cracks, expressions, he once again proves himself as the finest actor of current times. The other supporting actors are equally good, Konkona Sen Sharma and Neeraj Kabi  bring out the trauma of the parents well.  Soham Shah, is pretty good as Irrfan's assistant who later turns on him, while Atul Kumar is brilliant as the eccentric Paul. The dialogues are equally good too, with some smart one liners, as well as good reflective ones.

At the end of it, however you come out in a rather somber mood. We don't know Who Killed Aarushi( nee Shruti), but we for sure know that thanks to an utterly incompetent, botched up investigation by both the UP Police and CBI, we may never even know either.