Writer/Director: Abhishek Varman
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan and Madhuri Dixit
‘A Powerful Period Piece’
Not many actresses in Bollywood have built a legacy as strong as Alia Bhatt. Ever since her stardom in the 2000’s, Bhatt has proven to be a great actress. Whether it’s rebellious teenagers, passionate rappers or lovers that face barriers, Bhatt has portrayed countless powerful characters. Arguably, Bhatt’s best strength as an actress has always been her bravery. She is one of those bold actresses that has seldom been afraid to take risks in her career. Through her willingness to take on risky roles, Bhatt has built a legacy that’s unforgettable. Even when she isn’t the main focus of a movie, Bhatt has always created a lasting impression. Throughout her career, Bhatt has made several unforgettable films that are worth talking about without a single doubt.
I’m a big fan of Bhatt and adore all the films that she has made in her career. However, “Kalank” definitely stands out as being her most meaningful movie. Released in 2019, Abhishek Varman’s movie offered a strong portrait of Partition. Packed with engaging musical sequences, engrossing storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s an exceptional Bollywood period piece. At centre of it all is an amazing performance by Alia Bhatt, who embodies a woman caught up in horror of partition. Although “Kalank” is a brilliant Bollywood period piece, it isn’t a flawless film. It suffers from a melodramatic ending without satisfying resolution. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment that would definitely without any doubt satisfy fans of Alia Bhatt.
Set in 1940’s India, “Kalank” tells the story of lovers which are separated by warfare trauma. Alia Bhatt portrays Roop, a strong woman with dreams of finding love. Roop’s dreams come true when she falls madly in love with Zafar (Varun Dhawan). Zafar is a Muslim man with devotion to cultural ideals that differ significantly. Despite differences in culture background, Roop and Zafar soon form a bond that’s profound. However, their relationship is soon threatened by the forces of partition causing disaster. As all the odds are stacked against her favour, Roop soon wonders whether it’s possible for her to ever find a lover.
Abhishek Varman is a newcomer to themes of Partition. Before he had made “Kalank”, Varman had never made a movie about the subject of Partition. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the struggles faced by lovers torn apart by warfare tragedy in history but he succeeded immensely. Using stunning cinematography, Varman captures hardships between couples torn apart by a warfare tragedy. Emulating Deepa Mehta’s “1947: Earth”, Varman deftly uses montages to capture l lovers torn apart by traumatic war. For instance, the montages elevate the romantic meeting scene. During this strong scene, Roop and Zafar meet for a first time sparking their romantic relationships. Using strong montages, Varman crafts a portrait of partition that’s compelling. Montages are tricky techniques to use in Bollywood films. As Yash Chopra’s “Dil to Pagal Hai” proved, montages elevate Bollywood movies about dancers. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Using stunning visuals, Varman captures tensions that lovers torn apart by war are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Kalank” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood movies ever made about history. Verman successfully uses cross-cutting to stage musical sequences about war which are compelling. For instance, cross-cutting enhances the First Class song. During this unforgettable song, Zafar delivers a melody showcasing his strong devotion towards his culture. Using cross-cutting, Verman crafts musical sequences which prove engaging. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that lovers face in warfare. Through captivating production, Verman captures the frightening horrors of Partition.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Kalank” is a Bollywood film about history that’s engaging. The film is extremely well-written, and effectively uses monologues to capture tensions faced by lovers torn apart by Partition. Evoking Yash Chopra’s “Veer-Zaara”, Verman expertly uses monologues to capture lovers torn apart by the forces of warfare in India. For instance, monologues enhance the separation scene. During this sad scene, Roop and Zafar are separated by forces of warfare that cause tensions in India. Through strong monologues, Verman crafts a portrait of Partition audiences can relate to. Monologues are tricky techniques to use in Bollywood films. As Karan Johar’s “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani” claimed, monologues enhance Bollywood films about broken families. Nevertheless, it works well in this film. Using bold storytelling, Verman captured the tensions that lovers torn apart by Partition are facing.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Alia Bhatt delivers one of her best career performances as Roop. Bhatt first earned appreciation for playing romantic heroines in classic Bollywood movies. With “Kalank”, however, Bhatt took upon her most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a woman which faces horrific Partition tragedy in history, but she succeeds immensely. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: bold, charming and emotional in her most subtle role. With riveting expressions, she captures the angst, bravery and resentments faced by a woman experiencing warfare tensions. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most beloved actresses that is working in India today.
While the movie is mainly a bold showcase for Bhatt, the supporting cast is also great and worthy of recognition. Varun Dhawan is wonderful, capturing the tension faced by a Muslim man that falls in love with a Hindu woman in a war-torn nation. Sanjay Dutt is spectacular, bringing wisdom to a father that grows concerned about the safety of his children in a war-torn country. Lastly, Madhuri Dixit merits appreciation. As an elderly woman, she is unforgettable.
Despite its strong performances, however, “Kalank” can’t quite capture grim reality of partition. If there’s a minor shortcoming to the movie, it lacks an engaging ending. It’s a melodramatic conclusion that fails to bring the movie towards a satisfying resolution. At worst, it perpetrates false messages about Partition which aren’t always true to reality. Therefore, “Kalank” is one of those Indian movies about Partition which not everyone will adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Alia Bhatt would enjoy “Kalank” and so will audiences which seek engaging entertainment. A bold Bollywood historical drama, it honours an actress that is beloved in India.
Nearly a decade following the release of an iconic Bollywood movie about lovers which are torn apart by forces of Partition, it’s an amazing reminder of an Indian actress that has built a strong reputation through ability to portray strong characters in memorable movies which are definitely without a doubt worthy of celebration.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 