IRADA STORY : Army man, Parabjeet Walia(Naseeruddin Shah) dotes on his only daughter Riya (Rumana Molla). He is shattered when she is declared terminally-ill. On digging deeper to find the real cause of her mysterious disease, he discovers that many others in Punjab are dying of cancer because of the contaminated water that is supplied to the township. Naseer, then sets out to expose the nexus between a pharmaceutical giant and the State Administration, both of who are turning a blind eye to the health hazards of the dying public. He is joined on his mission by Intelligence Officer, Arjun Mishra (Arshad Warsi).
IRADA REVIEW : Irada has its heart in the right place. Having picked up a subject that talks of environmental hazards, debutant director Aparnaa Singh’s conscientious streak shows. Her film that is being marketed as an eco-thriller (whatever!) draws inspiration from Hollywood thriller Erin Brockovich (2000).However, unlike the Hollywood film that managed to raise a red flag warning us of how pharmaceutical companies are playing with innocent lives, Irada barely scratches the surface.
The film's attempt to educate the audience on the perils of chemical contamination, reverse boring and groundwater pollution that is a harsh reality around urban townships is half-baked.
Actually the film’s failing is it’s amateur writing and execution. You can see that the maker is crushed under the weight of the material chosen. The treatment also yo-yos. On the one hand, you feel anguish when Naseer loses his daughter and when the ``cancer train’’ is brought on board to convey the enormity of the crisis looming over us. But on the other hand, the film leaves you stone-cold because of the consistencies in the character sketches and screenplay. While Naseeruddin and Arshad are perfect, the villain Paddy F Sharma (Sharad Kelkar) and his partner-in-crime, CM, Ramandeep Braitch(Divya Dutta) are absolute caricatures.
There is also a sub-plot of a journalist (Sagarika Ghatge) seeking revenge for her dead boyfriend. Even this track is really weak. If intention is everything, you may feel kindly towards Irada. Unfortunately when it comes to a celluloid experience, story-telling is prime. Here, the film falters.
IRADA REVIEW : Irada has its heart in the right place. Having picked up a subject that talks of environmental hazards, debutant director Aparnaa Singh’s conscientious streak shows. Her film that is being marketed as an eco-thriller (whatever!) draws inspiration from Hollywood thriller Erin Brockovich (2000).However, unlike the Hollywood film that managed to raise a red flag warning us of how pharmaceutical companies are playing with innocent lives, Irada barely scratches the surface.
Actually the film’s failing is it’s amateur writing and execution. You can see that the maker is crushed under the weight of the material chosen. The treatment also yo-yos. On the one hand, you feel anguish when Naseer loses his daughter and when the ``cancer train’’ is brought on board to convey the enormity of the crisis looming over us. But on the other hand, the film leaves you stone-cold because of the consistencies in the character sketches and screenplay. While Naseeruddin and Arshad are perfect, the villain Paddy F Sharma (Sharad Kelkar) and his partner-in-crime, CM, Ramandeep Braitch(Divya Dutta) are absolute caricatures.
There is also a sub-plot of a journalist (Sagarika Ghatge) seeking revenge for her dead boyfriend. Even this track is really weak. If intention is everything, you may feel kindly towards Irada. Unfortunately when it comes to a celluloid experience, story-telling is prime. Here, the film falters.
Comments
Post a Comment