Director: Apoorv Singh Karki
Cast: Manoj Bajpayee, Jaihind Kumar, Vipin Sharma and others
Streaming on: ZEE5
Rating: 4 stars
Filmmaker Apoorv Singh Karki, who has been associated with the foremost content creators of our country, The Viral Fever in the past and helmed noted shows like Saas Bahu Aur Achaar Pvt. Ltd. (2022), brings a courtroom drama that moves mountains in many different ways. Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai narrates the story of an underdog, who triumphs against a powerful and corrupt godman.
Poonamchand Solanki aka PC Solanki (Manoj Bajpayee), a principled advocate works at Jodhpur High Court. He is a lord Shiva devotee, a single parent and an obedient son to his homemaker mother. In the middle of his ordinary life, comes a high-profile case of a popular godman, who is accused of sexually assaulting a minor.
Apoorv hasn’t highlighted a new subject since OMG: Oh My God! (2012) and Dharam Sankat Mein (2015) have been made around a similar subject, which is blind faith in godmen in our country. But, Apoorv’s narrative is unique and stands tall. His writing is taut, relatively relatable and more humane. Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai not only touches upon your emotional state but also has a fairly objective perspective. His storyline doesn’t glorify any particular strata of people, religion or certain social beliefs.
The film definitely uplifts the entire courtroom drama as a genre. Apoorv has shot the most simplistic things we all do at home with finesse — offering milk and dhoop to Shiva Ling, PC’s poem reciting moment with his mother on the terrace or the Holi celebration in the climax, which denotes victory over evil.
Also, being shot in the Blue city of India, (Jodhpur) gives a very different feel to the film. In recent times, no Hindi film has been shot in the narrow lanes of the city in such a way as other filmmakers were only busy showcasing the royalty of Rajasthan.
Manoj Bajpayee, a powerhouse of talent, an epitome of artistry is surely the shiniest star of the film. He makes you cry easily while his tears roll down on-screen. He makes you believe that truth prevails and there’s always hope for the common man. His closing statement in the courtroom in the form of a monologue stays with you for a longer period than usual.
He remarkably infuses his style of humour that easily surpasses as a breather in the middle of such severity. His moments with his school-going son (named Buddy) are enjoyable too. Vipin Sharma does a decent job.
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Actor Jaihind Kumar beautifully depicts the pain of a helpless father, who can go to any extent to fight for justice. The rest of the cast is very well-fitted with the plot line.
Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai is an intelligent and socially relevant film with no unnecessary beautification. It joins the bandwagon of cult courtroom dramas like Damini (1993), Aitraaz (2004) and Pink (2016).
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