<strong>EXPECTATIONS</strong> There are huge expectations from the music of <em>Kalank</em>. After it, it sees Karan Johar and Sajid Nadiadwala join hands who bring on board composer Pritam along with lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya. Moreover, with a stellar cast at its disposal and Varun Dhawan along with Alia Bhatt leading the show, you do expect fireworks. <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-971649" src="https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Kalank-4-2.jpg" alt="" width="720" height="450" /> <strong>MUSIC</strong> First to arrive is <strong><em>'Ghar More Pardesiya'</em></strong> which is set during the Dusshehra sequence in the film. The song helps take the narrative forward for the film as Alia Bhatt meets Madhuri Dixit and then Varun Dhawan for the first time. The well written number has a good metaphorical reference too and Pritam brings a new dimension of his to the fore by putting together this semi-classical track that is very well rendered by Shreya Ghoshal. Later in the soundtrack, a 'radio edit' version appears which has Vaishali Mhade joining Shreya. This one adds to the recall value. Next to arrive is <strong><em>'First Class'</em></strong> and this is also the best song of the soundtrack, what with a peppy tune, catchy lyrics and some 'masti se bharpoor' singing by Arijit Singh and Neeti Mohan. In fact one wonders why this wasn't the first song to be promoted and placed right at the top of the soundtrack. With a start that reminds one of Pritam's own <em>'Afghan Jalebi'</em> [<em>Phantom</em>] and the flow that is on the same lines as <em>'Saree Ke Fall Sa'</em> [<em>R... Rajkumar</em>], <em>'First Class'</em> is a chartbuster with cool rhythm accompanied by the dance moves that have become quite popular. Arijit Singh gets into an altogether different 'avtar' with the title song <strong><em>'Kalank'</em></strong>. This one only adds further class to this album that keeps the fire igniting with every passing number. A heartfelt number with sadness all over it, <em>'Kalank'</em> has brilliant lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya that stay with you long after it has been heard first. Moreover, Arijit's rendition is truly the kind that is for a heart which is in pain and that's something which turns out to be the hallmark of the song. There is a duet version too with Shilpa Rao but it's the solo version that stays. Shreya Ghoshal is back as the voice of Madhuri Dixit and she sings <strong><em>'Tabaah Ho Gaye'</em></strong> in a manner that only she can. In fact Pritam too composes this one in a style that is reminiscent of the kind of music that Sanjay Leela Bhansali has in his own films. Musically, this one is on the same lines as <em>'Maar Daala'</em> [<em>Devdas</em>] though this one does manage to bring in its own individuality as well, hence lending a good impression. There is certain sadness and pain in Shreya's voice which compliments the situation that Madhuri Dixit finds herself in the film, and that works. <strong><em>'Aira Gaira'</em></strong> comes next a couple of times and this is the much talked about song-n-dance appearance of Kriti Sanon. Sung by Antara Mitra, this one actually reminds one of the kind of songs that Rekha Bhardwaj has sung in quite a few films. A high on energy number, this one actually reaches its crescendo when Javed Ali and Tushar Joshi pair up to provide vocals for Varun Dhawan and Aditya Roy Kapur in the film. In a style that has its base in the 40s and the 50s, this one needed more time for promotion in order to reach out to the audiences much quicker. The album concludes with Jonita Gandhi going solo for <strong><em>'Rajvaadi Odhni'</em></strong>. This one too has its base in Sanjay Leela Bhansali style of music and again it is surprising that the song wasn't promoted much in advance. A song which actually kick-starts the film and introduces Alia Bhatt to the audience, this one is picturised as well as placed well in the film. A catchy number that has the feet tapping. <strong>OVERALL</strong> Pritam comes up with a very good soundtrack for <em>Kalank</em> and is helped a great deal by lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya. Moreover, there is a consistency of sound right through half a dozen odd songs that feature in the soundtrack. Even though the film is set in the 40s and the music compliments that era as well, even today's audience can well be entertained. <strong>OUR PICK(S)</strong> <em>‘First Class’</em>, <em>‘Kalank’</em>, <em>‘Tabaah Ho Gaye’</em>, <em>‘Rajvaadi Odhni’</em>

Kalank
U/A: Action, Drama, History
Director: Abhishek Varman
Cast: Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, Madhuri Dixit, Sanjay Dutt, Sonakshi Sinha and Aditya Roy Kapur
Rating: 

Not one to get wooed by the scale and production value of a film, I can't help but be smitten by the sheer beauty of Abhishek Varman's Kalank. In 2019, when Netflix rules our lives, this film is a rare cinematic experience that blends in opulence, glamour with a solid story about a family torn by its own skeletons in the closet. Star crossed pairs, their infidelities and how it destroys the world around them.

Drawn to forbidden pleasures and immoderate love is Roop, played with heft by Alia Bhatt. Varman's vast screenplay primarily plays off the luminous chemistry between Bhatt and co-star Varun Dhawan. There's a tantalising quality about their pairing and Varman uses this element to full effect. But a lot of the emotions drown in its self imposed ornate design of the film, which gives it a synthetic quality.

Watch the trailer of Kalank here:

So when a feisty Rajputana girl (Alia's Roop) is compelled by circumstances to marry a man (Aditya Roy Kapur's Dev) she can't even recognise in broad daylight, you want to discover more about their faulty dynamics. Or even how a well-educated woman like her, who has opinions strong enough to be voiced in front of an all-male team of writers running a flourishing newspaper, would fall for a visibly dubious man (Varun Dhawan's Zafar) with a promiscuous life. All of this and much more about the period's socio-political submerges beneath Binod Pradhan's gorgeous cinematography. It's almost as if there is a barrier between the audience and the characters - a gulf presumably created because of the director's reluctance to delve deeper into the plot.

Kalank movie poster

It's at the casting department, Varman scores big. Raging with simmering pain, Varun's aching performance beautifully transcends from showing him as a bitter man thirsty for revenge to a kind soul softened by love. Aditya's character has little graph but he adds soul to his act, supported adequately by Sonakshi Sinha who keeps her brief role serene all through. The seniors - Madhuri Dixit and Sanjay Dutt bring their effortless experience in a climactic sequence which packs a punch. Kunal Kemmu's grey part is portrayed with flair.

Also Read: Kalank: Here's everything you should know about the multi-starrer film

By no means is Kalank an unbearable film, despite being nearly 2 hours 48 minutes long. But there is a constant tryst to divert our attention from its storyline; Varman distracts us with his suggestive background scores, special numbers and sometimes even the perfectly created Manish Malhotra costumes. It's also equally problematic that a film set in pre-Partition doesn't stir up much political conversations throughout the narrative. There are stray mentions of their noble intentions but it remains largely detached from the divisive politics of the time it is set in. It also pays a tribute to Sanjay Leela Bhansali's school of filmmaking by borrowing a lot of his trademark sequences (especially Alia's entry which reminds one of Aishwarya's first scene in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam). Varman's prism is fresh - his women aren't caricatures, his characters aren't perfect. Roop is innately flawed, her decisions are damaging but she fights back for love with all her might. His men aren't all heroic and larger than life; they stumble, are unforgiving and equally faulty.

Watch the video of the Kalank movie review here:

I was reminded of Deepa Mehta's masterpiece - 1947, Earth, rightly melodramatic, potently emotional which walked the tightrope of a love triangle in stormy times in a balanced way. Kalank doesn't aim for that depth. It's content in being pretty even when it has the potential of so much more.

Kalank screening: Janhvi Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Aditya Roy Kapur attend:

Also Read: Kalank Celeb Review: B-town can't stop praising this period drama

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