Whenever we think of good Hindi courtroom dramas, the only ones that instantly come to our minds are Jolly LLB 2 and Pink. Finally, after so many years, Apoorv Karki is here with another *chef kiss* courtroom flick with ‘Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai’. Based on real events, it is an intense courtroom drama about the trial of a ‘godman’, who preyed upon innocent young girls. At the heart of the film is Manoj Bajpayee, who brings his A-game to the screen as the lawyer PC Solanki, who is unafraid to take on the rich, yet vulnerable to the threats of going against them.
The movie aims at the dark truth of society, where shady ‘godmen’ prey on innocent souls. The story revolves around Nu (played by Adrija), her parents (Jaihind Kumar and Durga Sharma), and their journey as they go through the maze of manipulation of ‘godmen.‘ It sheds light on the widespread exploitation prevalent in society, where the aam aadmi fears talking about the countless instances of rape and molestation. Why? Because ‘log kya kahenge’ and ‘ye cases bohot lambe jaate hai, time waste hoga bass.’
The makers’ creative decision to not include the discomforting factor diminishes the experience of the movie
However, the film effectively avoids making the audience uncomfortable during Nu’s courtroom appearances and also falls short of giving us Nu’s side of the journey. But I felt that this protection kinda disconnects you from the movie. Agar waise gut-wrenching moments hote, toh movie aur impactful lagti. Yes, we get it ki this is a PC Solanki biopic. But while it successfully portrays the struggles and pressures faced by Solanki, the same is missing for the victim. Victim ki family ke struggles, emotional breakdowns and social treatment pe bhi equal focus hona chahiye tha. This is why the audience fails to connect with the story. The win in the end doesn’t feel like Nu’s win, it feels like PC Solanki’s win.
An honest courtroom drama that makes for a compelling watch
Bandaa’s strongest aspect is its honest depiction of courtroom drama. Koi unwanted melodrama nahi, koi unwanted sarcasm nahi. The scenes are skillfully executed perfectly capturing the popcorn-worthy battle between Solanki and the smooth, sophisticated defense attorneys representing the baba. But the best part about it for me is the grand Mehrangarh fort being visible from Solanki’s terrace. His house is separated from the fort by a million galis, depicting how his struggle for justice will be complicated and challenging. Ekdum se English teacher waali feel aagayi ngl.
Obviously, the stand-out aspect of the movie is Manoj Bajpayee’s portrayal of PC Solanki. He doesn’t think of himself as a macho man. You can clearly see he is intimated by the badey badey lawyers of the opposition. But that does not make him under-confident when it’s his turn to argue. This human touch of being intimidated yet brave enough to stand up really does the trick. His monologue at the end is the real deal, especially the way he uses religion to give a jaw-dropping analogy against someone whose business is religion itself. If not for the unwanted BGM, that scene would’ve been goosebump-inducing. Adrija delivers a remarkable performance as Nu, effectively portraying the trauma faced by the victims of such heinous crimes. Really really wanted more of her from the script.
Manoj’s brilliance is backed by powerful dialogues that get you right in the feels and send chills down your spine
The film’s dialogues, written by Deepak Kingrani, play a crucial role in maintaining the intensity of the courtroom drama. He stays close to the facts of the real-life case, avoiding unnecessary masala and drama. The courtroom arguments are nail-biting, with Solanki’s arguments being a verbal rollercoaster ride, making you a fan of his analogies and methods. However, one thing that might feel like a bummer is the absence of Baba’s dialogues. It feels very weird how he didn’t have any dialogue throughout the movie. Babas have that preachy, manipulative touch jise add karne se movie thodi aur engaging lagti.
Arjun Kukreti does well to make us feel what a particular scene wants us to feel. With emotionally impactful scenes such as Nu’s medical test and the goons killing the witnesses, Bandaa makes sure you aren’t looking away even for a minute. However, it misses out on the emotional aspect. I was expecting to be in tears at the end of the movie, but vo baat nahi thi yaar movie mein. Sangeet-Siddharth Roy‘s background score heightens the drama, but some scenes could’ve been done without it. Re-release the movie without the unwanted BGM and it will feel twice more impactful.
A must watch battle between good and evil but with its own flaws
All in all, Bandaa is a wild, adrenaline-pumping ride through the realm of courtroom drama. With Manoj Bajpayee leading the charge and a talented ensemble cast, this film delivers entertainment in spades. Point ye hai, ki if you are yearning for an intense drama with captivating storytelling, get ready to be hooked from start to finish as you witness the battle between good and evil unfold on your screens. Jao jaldi dekh lo!
