A GORY AND RAW DRAMA, WHICH NEEDS A STRONG HEART TO CONSUME.
First of all, skip this review if you are a typical bollywood fan who expects all sorts of entertainment from a movie.
Set during the Emergency perion in 1975, Chambal, the movie starts with Mann Singh (Manoj Bajpayee), leader of a group of bandits, who doesn't hesitate to throw away a rotting body of a snake, chanting goddess name. His gang consists of Vakil Singh (Ranvir Shorey), Lakhna Singh (Shushant Singh Rajput) and many more. While looting a bride's house, more than half of the group is killed by Daroga Virender Gujjar (Ashutosh Rana) and his team. Gujjar, although a cop, is even more brutal and merciless than the bandits. Running away from Gujjar, the remaining group of bandits, headed by Vakil, finds Indumati (Bhumi Pednekar) and her sister, who is supposedly ill. However it is revealed that Indumati escaped from her house, killing her father in law, who had raped the girl, she was telling her sister, named Sonchiriya. Lakhna decides to save Indumati and Sonchiriya from Indimati's in-laws, however, he has some other intentions of helping Sonchiriya and that is what the main connection of Gujjar forms with Mann Singh's gang.
Sonchiriya has some of the best cinematography of bollywood, till date. The script is very sharply and very thoughtfully written. Although with a runtime of 140 minutes, it stretches to some parts, but thats all. The humor part is absolutely zero, and it works to maintain the flow of the film. Talking about music, it starts with the Mame Khan's gritty Baaghi Re and ends with Arijit Singh's soothing Ruan Ruan.
Talking about performances, the first person who comes to my mind is Ranvir Shorey. He is just magnificent in his part and clearly overshadows everyone, sharing the screen with him in a scene. Even his accent is also better than others (everyone has the one point Haryanvi accent). Who thought this sidekick/comic actor can do such things on screen. This movies proves that how underused Ranvir is, in Bollywood.
Manoj Bajpayee is an artist who can create wonders even in small screentime, if given proper script. Many may compare this act with Bhikhu Mhatre and Sardaar Khan, believe me, its different. He as usually, never fails to create impact with his acting.
When everyone was praising Shushant Singh Rajput for MS Dhoni, it was highly overrated as it seemed that all he did in the movie was being Shushant, not Dhoni (although his acting was good). Then he came with another overacting charater in Raabta and it was a bore. I haven't seen Kedarnath, but I can clearly say that Lakhna is Shushant's career best act (2nd being Kai PoChe). He is very subtle in his role and is aggressive, whenever required. An overall solid performance.
Bhumi Pednekar continues impressing us with her acts. She is the best of current young lot and keeps proving this with each of her films. She displays, what a woman can do when met with injustice, with the required strength and emotions.
Ashutosh Rana is back. After Simmba, another superb performance from the actor. He is menacing, brutal and is back in the area, where he rules (Sangharsh,Dushman). Only, if he would have been given a bit more screentime, then there would have riot ensured, on screen.
Jatin Sarna is very good in his limited role. Only disappointment is that after a career defining role like Bunty, there was much more expected from this powerhouse performer.
Khushiya, the girl performing the titular role of Sonchiriya is excellent.
All in all, there is no doubt Sonchiriya bombed at the BO with only 7 crores of revenue. This is what happens when you release a good movie with the worst release date possible ever ( 1 March 2019, clash + board exams commencement)
So this is absolutely not for the feeble hearted ones, filled with violence and swearing. And please do not watch this if you are a hardcore masala film or Salman Khan type films lover. You are not going to like it any way
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