Badla – “Pay Attention to the details”

“Pay Attention to the details, the answer is in the details” Amitabh bachchan says this over and over  to taapsee pannu in badla (movie). A lawyer imploring his client closer and harder whats in front of them In order to spot the clue that could prove her innocent. Frankly its a good advice to my reader’s , who are seeking to solve the  suspense in the twisty thriller just look very close its right there.

Directed by kahani’s sujay ghos who evidently knows his way around story.There is hiding more than whats on the surface , badla is official remake of the gripping Spanish movie ‘the invisible guest’.Wisely ghos stays mostly faithful to the blue print of the original print beside from swapping the gender the principle character taapsee played by ‘naina shethi’ , a married women accused of  murdering her lover in what seems like open and shut case for prosecution. Mr.Bachchan is badal gupta a top lawyer hire to make sure there are no cracks in defense . As he interrogates her(taapsee) in pursuit of the truth we learn  more and more about what might have happened that night.When her lovers body was discovered in hotel room , she(taapsee) was present in the room and there was no sign of  anyone else entering and leaving  the room.There is sort of verbal duel between client and  lawyer, the film sees naina make revelations and badal(Mr.B) challenging her claims. the narrative moves back in forth of time as naina insists that she is innocent but is naina telling the truth? films zig-zag plotting is a biggest strength all though its not too hard to figure out the ending. yet ghos keep the suspense at the boiling point and the viewers get invested in the out come. You can put it down films crisps passé oe to the cast who work hard to pull out the characters convincingly.

Taapsee pannu and Amitabh bachchan do the heavy lifting and beautifully showing two strangers who are not sure that they can trust each other. Tonny loke’s accent does not go with his overall look which bring unpredictability to the proceeding of naina’s murdered lover Arjun. manav call always welcome presence even in an small cameo as legal counsel. It is Amrita Singh which leaves lasting impression in a crucial roll. Her every little expression conveys bottle up emotion and feelings. Its really satisfying to see her utilized beyond the typical roll that Bollywood reserved to middle age women. Badla is handsomely bounded and folding with its atmosphere gloomy winter type glasco.