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Starring:
Vidya Balan, Rani Mukherjee, Neil Bhoopalam,
Myra Karn, Rajesh Sharma
Directed by - Raj Kumar Gupta
A model
trying to make a few extra rupees on the sidelines by
doubling as a bartender at a swinging party is shot at
point blank range by a person who is refused a drink.
Reportedly, over the 300 people were present at the
venue of Neno's and many must have seen this act of
wanton criminality. 11 years and a feeble prosecution
attempt later, all the accused walked away free on
Tuesday, February 21, 2006.
Since that fateful night, its more difficult to tell
today which has been more shocking - the ramp model's
murder or the sloppy manner in which the alleged killers
were sought to be booked. Besides the police had already
identified the killer as Manish Bharadwaj, the scion of
a former Union Minister, brought alive on screen by
Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub. It should have been an open and
shut case as the police did identify a few eye
witnesses.
In a role call, the witnesses were also summoned up. Yet
the case floundered and all the accused were let off for
an alleged lack of evidence.
Sabrina wants her sister’s murderer convicted, but she
has to go through a long legal battle, face the corrupt
system where witnesses are bought, the cops are bribed
and even the investigation evidence being distorted
upon.
Cast:
Vidya Balan as Sabrina Lall
Rani Mukherjee as Meera Gaity
Neil Bhoopalam as Vikram Jai Singh
Myra Karn as Jessica Lall
Rajesh Sharma as N.K.
Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub as Manish Bharadwaj
Bubbles Sabharwal as Mallika Sehgal
Yogendra Tikku as Sanjit Lall
Geeta Sudan as June Lall
Shireesh Sharma as Pramod Bharadwaj
Samara Chopra as Naina Sehgal
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Set in New Delhi, the film is based on the true story of
the murder of a part time model Jessica Lall its directed
by Raj Kumar Gupta, who had earlier directed the much
acclaimed 2008 film Aamir. Vidya Balan plays the character
of Jessica’s elder sister, Sabrina Lal and Rani Mukherjee
is the TV reporter.
The Saga unfolds with a late-night call to Sabrina Lall (Vidya
Balan) waking her up from sleep – and she is told that her
sister Jessica Lall was shot on the night of April 29,
1999 at Keno's a restaurant owned by famed socialite
Mallika Sehgal.
The reason why Jessica was shot? Because she had refused
to serve a drink to a politician’s son after the bar was
closed that night.
Sabrina is joined in her fight by the journalist Meera who
personally takes up the matter. New facts are brought to
light by a sting operation, the public is stimulated
through a campaign initiated by social activists and the
media which snowballs into a nationwide movement that
leads to the case being reopened, and finally Manish
Bharadwaj gets a life sentence.
Vidya Balan underplays Sabrina, letting the silence speak
instead and sparkles in a scene where she releases her
pent-up emotions through anger. Rani Mukherjee as the
foul-mouthed, bold and a strong willed journalist is fine,
except those over-acted moments. Myra, who plays Jessica,
appears intermittently in flashback sequences, and she is
just very natural. The frustrated upright police officer
(Rajesh Sharma) and the politician, Jessica’s parents all
are just perfect.
Director Rajkumar Gupta takes some cinematic liberties
like in the characterization of journalist Meera Gaity and
the police officer investigating the case. Rani Mukherjee
as the feisty journalist is too loud at times. It is a
compelling and a dramatic film.
- Amar Jeet
CREW & CREDITS
Presented by UTV Spotboy
Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta
Produced by Ronnie Screwvala
Co-Producers- Zarina Mehta, Deven Khote, Siddharth Roy
Kapur
Creative Producer - Vikas Bahl
Associate Producer - Ruicha Pathak, Manish Hariprasad
Screenplay & Dialogues - Raj Kumar Gupta
Director of Photography - Anay Goswamy
Music & Background - Amit Trivedi
Lyrics - Amitabh Bhattacharya
Editor - Aarti Bajaj
Sound Design - Sanjay Maurya, Allwyn Rego
Production Designer - Sukant Panigrahy
Costume Design - Sabyasachi Mukherjee |
