Whether or not Kalank will meet your expectations is a matter of personal opinion. While its cast is impressive and its packaging is beautiful, the film falls short in terms of nuance when it comes to depicting the Hindu-Muslim equation. Though a passionate and ferocious Muslim is portrayed in the film, it lacks a sense of nuance in the portrayal of this religious conflict. In fact, the movie’s only redeeming feature is its surprisingly good storyline.
As a Bollywood film, Kalank is an outstanding example of technical craft. It rolls off some of the year’s most beautiful shots. Unfortunately, its intelligent Alia Bhatt cannot make sense of the role of Roop, and her contemporary screen persona clashes with the film’s frothy sexual politics. On the plus side, Kalank is filled with clifftop bullfights, expansive Pritam songs, and multigenerational superstars. However, the film’s flaws leave it feeling like a carefully-coloured selfie of an industry in flux.
Despite this, Kalank’s promise is never lost. A beautiful train carriage scene opens the film, which could have been a nine-part miniseries, and features Sanjay Dutt, Madhuri Dixit, Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, and Sonakshi Sinha. The film has a complex cast and excellent locations, but the film falls flat when it comes to climaxes and character complexities.
Kalank’s production design and cinematography are reminiscent of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s films. While its climactic scenes are visually gorgeous, the film is not historically accurate. It is based on a novel, but the period atmosphere is completely fabricated and overdone. The film’s lack of authenticity, however, makes it an unimpressive watch. If you’re a Bhansali fan, Kalank might be for you.
A true labor of love, Kalank is an inspirational tale of eternal love, despite its flaws. While it doesn’t live up to expectations, it is still a surprisingly moving film. It’s worth watching for its beautiful visuals and pacifist message. If you’re considering watching Kalank, make sure you’re prepared to spend two hours and 48 minutes with it. So, if you’re wondering how to rate this film, read on.
The plot of the film is a fascinating story about religious and societal issues. During the pre-partition era, a town called Husnabad is a hotbed of conflict. A Muslim blacksmith named Zafar is in love with a married woman, and the film is based around his efforts to win her over. But, while Roop struggles to find her own freedom in the household, she finds it in the forbidden ghetto of Heera Mandi. In the end, she falls in love with the man, who is played by Varun Dhawan.
While Kalank has an overcrowded multi-star cast, there are also issues with its politics. Its pre-partition setting in Lahore makes it particularly relevant to the Muslim community, and it depicts Muslims as manipulative and repressive. The film’s multi-cultural cast also gives it a crowded feel, which makes it more likely to appeal to a worshipful audience in the 1970s. The film’s lavish song and dance sequences, mujras, and celebrations of religious tyohars all add to the movie’s problem.
