Writer/Director: Subhash Ghai
Starring: Anil Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai and Akshaye Khanna
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actresses in India have created movies which satisfy audiences like Aishwarya Rai. Ever since her rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Rai has become a beloved actress that has made memorable movies. Whether it’s bold historic figures, doomed lovers or rebellious daughters, Rai has portrayed several strong characters. Arguably, Rai’s best strength as an actress has often been her bravery. She is one of those rare actresses which hasn’t been afraid of taking risks in her career by taking on controversial characters. Through her ability to create strong female heroines audiences can relate to, Rai has become a great actress whose work audiences value. Throughout her impressive career, Rai has made several unforgettable movies that are absolutely worth talking about without any doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Rai and adore all the films she has made in her career. However, “Taal” definitely stands out as her most iconic film. Released back in 1999, Subhash Ghai’s film offered a magnificent portrait of musicians. Packed with breathtaking musical numbers, stunning storytelling and astonishing acting, it’s a brilliant Bollywood music masterpiece. At a centre of it all is a brilliant performance from Aishwarya Rai, who embodies a singer that falls in love into a doomed relationship. Although “Taal” is a riveting music drama, it isn’t a flawless film. It builds to a predictable ending without resolution. That being said, it offers spellbinding entertainment which will absolutely without any doubt satisfy fans of Aishwarya Rai.
“Taal” tells the story of a businessman that falls in love with a singer facing a downfall. Aishwarya Rai portrays Mansi, an aspiring singer with dreams of achieving prosperity. Searching for a romantic relationship, Mansi is eager to settle down in life in a marriage. When she falls in love with the businessman Manav (Akshaye Khanna), Mansi’s dreams turn into reality in India. However, their bond is threatened by the career responsibility of being a singer. Torn between the love for her musician manager Vikrant (Anil Kapoor) and Manav, Mansi faces a serious dilemma. As all the odds are stacked against her favour, Mansi wonders whether it’s possible for her to be a singer.
Subhash Ghai has always been fascinated by themes of doomed love. An exceptional Bollywood filmmaker, Ghai has often made engaging movies about doomed lovers that are in grave danger. His iconic film “Pardes” offered a powerful portrait of struggles that are faced by Indian immigrants in the United States. With “Taal”, however, Ghai made his first musician drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the struggles faced by musicians which seek prosperities but he succeeded. Using stunning cinematography, Ghai captures the life of a musician seeking prosperity in a competitive industry. Evoking Kundan Shah’s “Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa”, the filmmaker deftly uses montages to capture hardship endured by musicians in India. For instance, the montages elevate the dancing scene. During this memorable scene, Mansi engaged in a dance performance showing her love for music. Using engaging visuals, Ghai created a portrait of musicians which is engaging. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Ashutosh Gowariker’s “Jodhaa Akbar” suggested, montages often elevate Bollywood historical dramas. That being said, it works immensely. Using bold visuals, Ghai captures the tensions singers are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Taal” which merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood romantic films you will ever see. Ghai has always had the talent for creating engaging musical sequences in his movies, and “Taal” showcased his greatest strength as a filmmaker. Ghai effectively uses cross-cutting to create musical sequences about musicians that are engaging. For instance, cross-cutting elevates the Ratma Jogi song. During this memorable song, Mansi spends valuable time with Vikrant through singing a melody. Moreover, the musical score is also magnificent. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere capturing a heavy burden that musicians bear. Through strong production, Ghai captures the hardships experienced by a musician.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Taal” is a Bollywood musical drama which is engaging. The movie is very well-written, and effectively uses silence to capture the hardship singers experience. For instance, silence elevates the farewell scene. During this heartfelt scene, Mansi bids emotional farewell to Manav after he sets off upon a journey to achieve career success. Through silence, Ghai creates a portrait of musicians audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in Bollywood movies. As Aditya Chopra’s “Mohabbatein” suggested, silence enhances Bollywood movies about college students. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Ghai captures the lives of musicians which have melodies to play.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Aishwarya Rai gives one of her best career performances as Mansi. Rai first achieved appreciation for playing romantic heroines in Bollywood movies. With “Taal”, however, she took on her most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a singer facing adversities, but she succeeds tremendously. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her in the past: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most iconic role. With bold expressions, she captures ambition, bravery and grief of a woman seeking success as a musician. It is a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated actresses which is working in India today.
While the movie is mainly a bold showcase for Rai, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Anil Kapoor is amazing, capturing the tensions faced by a manager seeking to guide singers that are demanding. Akshaye Khanna is astonishing, bringing charisma to a businessman falling in love with a musician causing a dilemma in India. Lastly, Amrish Puri merits recognition. As an elderly manager, he brings wisdom to the movie.
Despite its strong performances, however, “Taal” can’t quite capture the hardships of musicians that face a downfall. If there’s a shortcoming to the movie, it lacks a strong ending. It’s a melodramatic conclusion that fails to bring the movie towards a satisfying resolution. Whereas this ending enhanced Mani Ratnam’s “Guru”, it conflicts with the tone of this movie. Therefore, “Taal” is one of those Bollywood films that not everyone will adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Aishwarya Rai would enjoy “Taal” and so will audiences seeking riveting entertainment. A bold Bollywood romantic drama, it honours an actress with charisma.
Nearly 30 years following the release of an iconic Bollywood movie about a musician which seeks appreciation in a competitive profession, it’s a remarkable reminder of a beloved Indian actress that has created an enduring reputation through her abilities to play compelling characters in memorable movies throughout her impressive career which definitely without a doubt deserve appreciation.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 