There were times when a Bollywood film didn’t necessarily need much in
the name of content and plot but definitely superstars of ‘larger than life’
stature and in numbers. The era of multi-starrers, then, was measured by how
big and how many stars one could bring under one roof, supported by an
impressive face of villain. You must have encountered some of those on the
bygone VHS viewing. Saumik Sen’s GULAAB GANG brings back memories of the same
but in a bad bad taste. It is nothing more than two great actresses of their
times coming together for the first time to share the screen. That’s it.
Rajjo [Played by ravishing Madhuri in quite a typical role] leads a
group of women, deprived by destiny, dressed in pink and dogged to fight. Together
they can make things work in the system. From fighting for basic necessities like
education, electricity, food to standing out as a powerful judiciary system of
their own, they play cool until enters a mean, wicked, heartless menace Sumitra
Devi [Juhi Chawla stealing the show as her first strive in negative role].
Sumitra is a self-centered power-hungry politician who barely has left any
signs of humanity and sympathy against suppressed in her, though the kind of creepy
smile on her face never really goes missing even when things aren’t much in
favor. The clash can’t be averted. It’s just a matter of how, where and when.
Despite the fact that the makers are in complete denial, film clearly
finds indisputable similarities with the real life Gulabi Gang led by Sampat Pal
of Chhatisgarh, in look, intent and in functioning too. This is a shameless dark
side of the profession but that’s actually nothing in facade of the lack of earnestness
while making the film. Rajjo’s obsessive dream to open a school in the village
often looks melodramatic. Performing on well-choreographed songs is like the
only other activity this gang is occupied with. And if it is not over, there
are gravity-defying action sequences too where you witness Rajjo turning heroically
into ‘Singham’ ‘Dabangg’ ‘Rowdy Rathore’ kind of mass-entertainers who could
fly, jump and kick anyone from anywhere.
Saumik Sen directs well especially while creating drama [Watch out for the
abduction scene of a rapist in the village pond] and even shows an impressive
hand in an overall look of the film but once the gimmicky ‘Madhuri comes
opposite Juhi’ factor enters the scene, the rest gets carried away. In other
mentionable part, Divya Jagdale and Priyanka Bose strike and provide delightful
moments as members of the gang. Their chemistry together has sometimes more
sparks than the leads. Tannishtha Chatterjee is wasted. She definitely needed a
better support from writing.
Subject could have been the hero but sadly it’s always the Madhuri Vs
Juhi. Madhuri dons the role of Rajjo with total ease, looks smashing, acts
flawless and dances to win hearts but for me, it is Juhi Chawla who beats
everyone with her bravura performance. I wasn’t expecting this from her at all.
Definitely writers have worked on her part well and she has done full justice. What
a comeback!
At the end; if you really want to celebrate ‘Women’s Day’ and the sentiments
of Women empowerment, I will leave you with two choices. Try to catch Nishtha
Jain’s honest, real and an eye-opener documentary ‘GULABI GANG’ or if not
anything else, go for Kangana Ranaut’s QUEEN. Saumik Sen's ‘GULAAB GANG’ is a must for only
Juhi Chawla Fans! [2/5]
