Jhalki Movie Review
Cast: Aarti Jha, Goraksh Sakpal, Govind Namdeo, Sanjay Suri, Divya Dutta, Tannishtha Chatterjee and Boman Irani
Director: Brahmananda S Singh
Rating: 4 Stars
Story: Director Brahmanand Singh and co-director Tanvi Jain have attempted to depict the perils of child trafficking and slavery. The film focusses on nine Year old Jhalki (Aarti Jha) sees her younger brother Babu (Goraksha Sakpal) being foreced into child labour. Jhakli single handedly tries to free him from the clutches of a carpet factory owner Ramnath (Akhilendra Mishra).
Review: Born in an illiterate financially poor family Jhalki’s parents are forced to sent their five year old son Babu to work in a far away carpet factory run by Ramnath for a meager salary. Jhaki watches what treatment her brother is given at the factory and she is upset at the whole treatment meted out to him and the other younger boys. She tries to take the help of various people and finally manages to convince a few to help her. Jhalki's comes across Raheem chacha, a rickshaw puller, and Priti, a journalist, who attempt to help her. But eventually it is Boman Irani's Kailash Satyarthi who truly take the task into their hands.
Direction: Directors Brahmanand S Singh and co-director Tanvi Jain have dealt with a very sensitive subject of child trafficking. What is more interesting is the fact that they have managed to extract fantstic performances from the children. What more with performances from talented artistes like Govind Namdeo, Sanjay Suri, Divya Dutta, Tannishtha Chatterjee and Boman Irani the story goes to another level. Jhalki's innocence and naivness takes away the intense scenes and creates a breath of fresh air. Aarti Jha is very convincing as an elder sister. She handles her younger brother Babu (Goraksha Sakpal) with equal ease. The strong bond between the brother and sister will surely bring tears to the eyes.
Music: Music by Shandesh Shandilya is soothing and adds weight age to the film.
Overall: Jhalki drives a good and important message. A good watch over the weekend.