131. Naachiyaar; movie review

NAACHIYAAR
Cert 15
100 mins
BBFC advice: Contains sexual violence theme, strong violence, threat

Films which really dig into Indian culture without offering the frills of song and dance are a rarity but often very powerful.
Such could certainly be said of Bala's Naachiyaar which has some rough edges but offers some very potent and poignant content.
It surrounds a knee-jerk police inspector (Jyothika) who is a merciless beater of suspects but leans on a tender side when it is needed.
She is unlike many heroes in Indian cinema because, despite her good intentions, her haste often results in mistakes.
This is demonstrated with the case of a young pregnant girl (Ivana) whose boyfriend (G.V. Prakash Kumar) has been arrested for having sex with a minor.
The pair believe there is no crime because of their undiluted love but while his court hearing is pending she gives birth and the film takes a dramatic turn.
Bala definitely makes the audience think with a drama which has more twists than a tornado.
And he conjures a believability which is often so lacking in Indian movies because his key players have good hearts but are all tarnished in their own ways.
Often I have been unable to resonate with characters in Indian pictures because their purity is over-stretched. This one hinges on a moment of lust but it is not overplayed.
Bala also pushes boundaries by having a woman as a senior cop (her boss is also female) and having those roles unquestioned by her subordinate males.
But, as said, she doesn't always get it right, struggling to combine work with home life where her daughter and husband perceive that she cares more about her job than them.
Jyothika is splendid in the lead and is beautifully complemented by Ivana and Kumar whose portrayal of young ignorance is heart-rending.
And Naachiyaar packs all of this in at well under two hours. Will it act as a bar for other Indian movies? I hope so.

Reasons to watch: A startling reflection of poverty and ignorance in India
Reasons to avoid: It lacks enough depth to make it a classic

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 7.5/10

The big question - How can India improve the education of the poor?

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