'Talvar' review: An absolute must watch with a haunting finale

Film: Talvar 

Starring: Irrfan Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma, Tabu, Neeraj Kabi

Directed by: Meghna Gulzar

Rating: *****

WHAT’S IT ABOUT:

It's not very often that you walk out of a movie filled with a barrage of emotions – mostly of anger, outrage, shock and helplessness. That’s what Meghna Gulzar’s Talvar does to you. The film’s impact stays with you long after it’s haunting finale. Based on the much-talked-about and controversial Aarushi murder case, Meghna brings to life all of the primary and secondary characters in (with names changed for obvious reasons) and offers a first-hand view of a story that crumbled under the pressure of lies, deception and botch-ups.

14-year-old Shruti is discovered dead in the house by her parents Ramesh (Neeraj) and Nutan Tandon (Konkona). Just when the local police are investigating the matter, their servant Khempal is also found murdered on their terrace. The parents (especially the father) become obvious suspects. With too much of media heat, the case is then handed over to the Central Department of Investigation’s Ashwin Kumar (Irrfan) whose investigations lead to something else. But just when he thinks he’s cracked the case with some startling revelations, it’s taken away from him and assigned to another officer who resonates the earlier theory of the parents being guilty. The film basically offers all the versions available and leaves it to the audience to decide which one is most credible.

WHAT’S HOT:

If you thought there’s not much about the Aarushi case you don’t know already (unless you’ve read the recently released Avirook Sen’s book Arusghi on the same subject), you’re in for a huge surprise.

The film is a gripping take on one of the most high-profile murders of our times. And because it’s a true story with true documentation, it's disturbing all the more. Vishal Bhardwaj’s fantastic writing unravels the mystery piece-by-piece. It’s to Meghna’s credit that she keeps it logical and believable without losing any of the drama.

The narrative is simple yet effective and striking. That’s Meghna’s greatest triumph because a case so twisted and complex couldn’t have been told any better in two hours. Meghna takes the viewer from the murder scene to the investigation process to the media circus to the courtroom – never letting her individual perspective (despite offering it) come in the way of the story’s integrity. If this indeed is the truth (and that was authenticated by Sen too in his book) then there’s no better medium than a mainstream feature film to take it to the public. And that’s what makes Talvar so important. Technically, the film stands a class apart thanks to Meghna’s brilliant storytelling and superb camerawork by Pankaj Kumar. A special mention to A. Sreekar Prasad for his terrific editing that keeps the momentum going. Among the performances, Irrfan is at his best, proving once again what a volcano of talent he is. It’s good to see Konkona is such fine form after long. Neeraj Kabi as the father is perfect casting – the vulnerability he brings to his character is stirring.

WHAT’S NOT:

In such an impeccable whodunit, the parallel track of Irrfan and Tabu, despite being entertaining, seems out of place.

WHAT TO DO:

Talvar is an absolute must-watch not just because it deserves to be seen. It NEEDS to be seen.