Section 375 Movie Review
Film: Section 375
Rating: 4 ****
Director: Ajay Bahl
Producers: Kumar Mangat Pathak
Abhishek Pathak, SCIPL
Writer: Manish Gupta
Music :Clinton Cerejo
Cast: Akshaye Khanna, Richa Chadha, Meera Chopra, Rahul Bhat
Section 375 is based on Section 375 of Indian Penal Code laws, in India. The story begins with Anjali (Meera Chopra) who goes to director Rohan Khurana's house (Rahul Bhat) to take his opinion on some costume for a shoot. Later Khurana is arrested for raping her. What transpries forms the main plot of the story as Section 375 is implemented.
Rohan Khurana is sentenced to ten years of rigorous imprisonment by the sessions court. Bt he appeals to the High Court. Tarun Saluja (Akshaye Khanna) a high profile lawyer takes up the case to defend Rohan Khurana. While Hiral Gandhi (Richa Chadha), his earlier associate is the defendant Anjali's lawyer.
There are high intense court room scenes as facts are revealed in the process. It takes an ugly turn at times. The gripping narrative keeps the audience glued to the screen till the end. The story is not new but the way it has been presented, it reminds you of the popular 2009 case of a Bollywood actor who was accused of raping his maid at home while the wife was away. Somewhere writer-director Manish Gupta must have taken references of the popular case. However he has woven a gripping narrative to the end and seems to have intricate details of Section 375 and how it can be misused by people. The film educates the audiences on the procedure.
Kishore Kadam and Kruttika Desai play judges are brilliant in their own ways. Akshaye Khanna is a delight to watch on screen and he flashes his brilliance in those intense scenes not letting the audience rivet their eyes even for a single moment. Richa Chadha has put on a great performance. She looks every bit a lawyer who takes up her stand. Her dialogue delivery is superb. Rahul Bhatt and Meera Chopra who makes a comeback after a long time on screen have given nuanced performances.
A complex issue like rape has been handled very sensitively by director Ajay Bahl. The director has not let songs disturb the film and music director Clinton Cerejo has marvellously woven a gripping title track in the film The music adds to the film. Cinematography by Sudhir K. Chaudhary is worth a mention and editing by Praveen Angre is crisp and taut and makes up for the fantastic narrative.
In all a film worth watching over the weekend. The last time we saw a film like this was Shoojit Sircar's Pink which went on to create wonders at the box office. We are sure Section 375 will set the box office on fire too
Review By Johnny Vaz