Writer/Director: Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury
Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu and Vijay Varma
Not many actors in Bollywood earned praise of Amitabh Bachchan. Following his rise to fame amid the 1970’s, Bachchan has transformed in a legendary Bollywood icon. Whether it’s inspiring teachers, frustrated fathers or patriotic leaders, Bachchan has played many strong characters. Arguably, Bachchan’s best strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare Indian actors that has always had strong presence which has elevated every movie he is in. Through his capabilities to create characters which audience can easily relate to, Bachchan has become a celebrated Bollywood icon that audiences value. Although he is best known for roles in Bollywood, Bachchan has proven he excels in every genre. Despite reaching an age of retirement, Bachchan has never lost long lasting passion for entertainment. Throughout his illustrious career, Bachchan has produced countless movies which are absolutely worth talking about without any doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Bachchan and adore films he has made. However, “Pink” stands out as being his most meaningful movie. Released in 2016, Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury’s movie offered a powerful portrait of sexual assault. Packed with breathtaking production, bold storytelling and powerful performances, it’s a captivating Bollywood courtroom drama. At the centre of it all is a bold performance by Amitabh Bachchan, who portrays an old lawyer seeking to resolve a sexual assault allegation. Ultimately, what makes “Pink” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it tackles themes everyone will relate to. A captivating Indian courtroom drama, there are many reasons why “Pink” is a film that’s absolutely worth watching.
“Pink” tells the story of three women which fight sexual assault in court cases that are frightening. Taapsee Pannu plays Minal, a young woman that has strong views against sexual assault. Minal has always taken a stance against cases of sexual assault in Indian society. However, Minal’s life forever changes when she and her friends become victims of sexual assault. Outraged by the unjust system, Minal and her friends seek to find justice for sexual assault. Assisted by the aging lawyer Deepak Sehgal (Amitabh Bachchan), Minal seeks to resolve a sexual assault allegation. With tough obstacles to face, Deepak wonders whether he can truly resolve a controversial case.
Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury is a newcomer to themes of sexual assault. Before he directed “Pink”, Chowdhury had never made a movie about assault before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of sexually assaulted women in an Indian society but he pulled it off successfully. Using spellbinding cinematography, Chowdhury demonstrates a woman’s journey to battle sexual assault in Indian society. Emulating Rob Reiner’s “A Few Good Men”, Chowdhury effectively uses montages to capture the tensions faced by a few good women. For instance, montages enhance the courtroom scene. During this unforgettable scene, Minal and her friends fight cases of sexual assault in court. Using montages, Chowdhury creates a portrait of assault that’s compelling. Montages are not easy techniques to use in Bollywood movies. As Yash Chopra’s “Veer-Zaara” suggested, montages elevate Bollywood movies about doomed love. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, Chowdhury captures tensions that sexually assaulted women are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Pink” which merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood movies which you will ever see. Inspired with Yash Chopra’s “Veer-Zaara”, Chowdhury effectively uses the settings of courtrooms to capture tension experienced by women in India. For instance, the setting of the courtroom elevates the final verdict scene. During this intense scene, Minal and her friends have a final argument in court. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the film tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden which sexually assaulted women bear. Through powerful production, Chowdhury captures struggles of sexually assaulted women.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Pink” is a courtroom film that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses silence to capture hardships sexually assaulted women experience. For instance, silence elevates the grim assault aftermath scene. During this heartfelt scene, Minal is devastated following the grim aftermath of assault. Through silence, Chowdhury crafts a portrait of sexual assault that audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Black” suggested, silence enhances films about blind women. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Chowdhury captures sexually assault women which experience a painful price to pay.
One appreciates powerful performances.
Amitabh Bachchan delivers one of his best career performances as Deepak Sehgal. Bachchan achieved appreciation playing angry criminals in classic Bollywood films. With “Pink”, however, he took on his most mature role. It isn’t easy to play an aging lawyer that seeks to battle sexual assault cases in Indian societies but he succeeds. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and utterly emotional in his most memorable role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and grief of an attorney that faces court tensions. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most celebrated Bollywood actors working today.Yearly Archive
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Amitabh Bachchan, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciations. Taapsee Pannu is terrific, capturing tense hardship that a sexually assaulted woman must go through. Kirti Kulhari is captivating, capturing the fierce personality of a woman that seeks justice for sexual assault tragedy. Lastly, Angad Bedi merits appreciation. As an angry man accused of assault, he is truly unforgettable.
Finally, “Pink” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing sexual assault. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses relevant themes including ambition, mental health and sexism that would resonate with everyone. Viewers are not required to be familiar with the culture of India to appreciate it. Therefore, “Pink” is one of those rare Bollywood movies that everyone would adore.
Fans of Amitabh Bachchan will absolutely love “Pink” and so would movie-goers that seek exhilarating entertainment. A riveting Bollywood courtroom drama, it celebrates a legendary actor with charisma in India.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking film about women that are sexually assaulted fighting court cases that are conflicted, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to leave audiences captivated making timeless films that absolutely without a doubt deserve to be celebrated.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 