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Jai Gangaajal Movie Review : Peecee is paraded for hoots but the film lacks flair
When you watch a film like Jai Gangaajal, the whole racket we create about films with woman protagonists feel like a farce. Priyanka Chopra in every interview of hers has said how she is proud of the fact that India is producing some A-grade films with strong female characters. Unfortunately, the new Prakash Jha outing won't be adding more stars to her well-endowed resume. Jai Gangaajal is the best example of a film that has no plot. It is an array of necessary social issues strung together by an opinionated man, who lacks direction. The same reflects in his film in which all the madness fails to find a rhythm and converge into something fruitful.
As the newly-appointed cop in the small town of Bankepur, Priyanka Chopra as Abha Mathur is only good thing in a film. The familiar story doesn't need to be elucidated because if someone has watched a handful of Prakash Jha's films, the template is something people are aware of. It is crowded with issues ranging from corruption to the pitiable state of farmers. Unfortunately the director is so busy making the film that he never stops to ponder and delve deep any of issues he is addressing. It won't be wrong to say that the film handles its themes without putting much thought to it. That has been the classic problem with Jha in his last few films. His well-intentioned attempt can never find itself a concise screenplay. Instead of methodically problematizing the issue he has in mind, his narrative meanders too much, trying to fit in as many themes as possible. In the end, it is like Jha is trying far too hard to push all the right buttons to tug at your heartstrings.
It is but natural that the film loses steam. The unpolished story fails to hold your attention for too long. It is no surprise that Priyanka rises to the challenge and tries to salvage things. But, even when she is sincere, her act is far too gimmicky. The story lacks both meat and method and our darling pee-cee can do little to save the film. At some point, you notice that even as she beats men to pulp, her lipstick stays intact. However, she gets us rooting for her. There is something so charismatic about the actress that she wins you over even with her weakest work.
As Prakash Jha alternates between his double duties, you realize the man we remember from Damul is far gone. Here is someone who is trying to please the masses, get moolah into his bank account and win glories. Validation is something every artiste seeks but Jha is someone with a fearless voice and his films are no longer adequate enough to convey that.
Jai GangaaJal has characters that are overwritten. It is over plotted, overwrought, schmaltzy and never offers a pleasant surprise. Infact the story continues to get convoluted with each scene. Jha's characters are caricature portraits of real people. Be it Rahul Bhat who plays a man who tries to pull off a SRK from Swades by devoting himself to welfare of the village rather or Jha himself, whose character undergoes a drastic transformation too abruptly. They are far from being nuanced and their unidimensional, either too good or too bad image which conveys well enough that the story is far removed from reality.
If someone from the film deserves to be applauded, besides Priyanka, it is Manav Kaul. He is fantastic and together, they manage to make the film watchable. But Jai Gangaajal doesn't merit being applauded. It lacks holistic understanding and is something you would watch on TV on Republic Day.
We rate it a 50% on Pinkvilla Movie Meter.
