Review: Inkaar
Inkaar is about sexual harassment at the workplace. Rahul Verma (Arjun Rampal), the CEO of an ad agency, sees potential in Maya (Chitrangda Singh)who is his junior.
Film: InkaarDirector: Sudhir MishraCast: Arjun Rampal, Chitrangada Singh & Deepti NavalRating: **
Inkaar is about sexual harassment at the workplace. Rahul Verma (Arjun Rampal), the CEO of an ad agency, sees potential in Maya (Chitrangda Singh)who is his junior. He mentors her at work, they get close and have physical relations. The owners of the ad agency, John (Jan Bostock) and KK (Kaizaad Kotwal), give Maya a big promotion. Rahul feels Maya had granted John sexual favours for the promotion, and obviously, resents this. Maya is upset with Rahul when he gets too close to a model he is shooting with.One day, Maya files a case sexual harassment case against Rahul. Mrs. Kamdar (Dipti Naval), who is associated with an NGO, heads the committee which is appointed to look into the case.As the investigation begins, it is revealed that Rahul and Maya were in love with each other. They argue their case in front of the committee. Mrs. Kamdar, after hearing both the sides, is unable to arrive at a decision about who is right and who is wrong. She is in favour of a more in-depth enquiry but in the meantime, Maya is consulting a lawyer, advocate Rajni Mathur (Mahabanoo Mody-Kotwal).Sudhir Mishra and Manoj Tyagi’s screenplay has its plus points (few) and minus points (many). The biggest plus point is that the tension between Maya and Rahul is suitably built.On the flip side — the audience’s sympathy hardly ever goes to Maya so completely that she would be considered a victim. Because Maya willingly had physical relations with Rahul, her complaint, for a good part of the film, would seem – for the Indian audience – to be a case of a love affair gone wrong. Even today, a large chunk of the audience in India view a girl who has sex before marriage as one who cannot be sympathised with.The screenplay would appeal to a thin section of the audience but it has very little for the masses. Arjun does quite well but his performance is uni-dimensional. Chitrangda is fairly nice but could have been better. Dipti Naval goes through her role with understanding but there is nothing substantial she gets to do.Sudhir Mishra’s direction is good but his subject and narrative style will appeal only to a minority audience. Shantanu Moitra’s music is nice. Swanand Kirkire’s lyrics are rich. Sachin Krishn’s camerawork is alright. Editing (Archit D. Rastogi) is sharp.On the whole, Inkaar is too class-appealing and ordinary a fare and its dull climax is its weakest point. It will leave the viewers dissatisfied.