Sanchita
Qala is a hauntingly beautiful psychological drama backed by a mesmerizing soundtrack. Though it boasts of strong performances, it falls short of reaching the crescendo of madness it promises.
Read Full Netflix Qala Movie Review –
Rating: 3.5/5
Director: Anvita Dutt (of Bulbbul fame)
Cast: Tripti Dimri, Babil Khan, Swastika Mukherjee
Runtime: 2 hours
Storyline:
Singer Urmila (Swastika) is supposed to give birth to a pair of twins – one boy, one girl. But only Qala (Tripti) survives, being the stronger one of the duo. Urmila is resentful of her daughter, believing that she ate her son in the womb.
Qala grows up to be an aspiring singer who’s constantly striving for the approval of her domineering mother. Apparently, she can do no good in Urmila’s eyes.
The arrival of Jagan (Babil) adds salt to Qala’s wounds. The talented young singer is able to win over Qala’s mother’s admiration. Urmila makes Jagan her protege, leaving her own daughter behind in the shadows.
Seething with jealousy, and insecurity but also a desperate drive to prove her mettle, Qala manages to snatch the spotlight for herself. But at the peak of her success, her sinister past catches up to her, leading to a slippery slope of madness….
What Do We Think:
Anvita Dutt’s Qala is a hauntingly beautiful film albeit rather slow burn in its pace. It is aesthetically pleasing with an excellent soundtrack that creates an old-world charm.
However, it feels incomplete, ending just as things are getting really good. It feels as if you’re waiting for the milk to boil over and spill but instead it just simmers down quietly at the last minute. Just falling short of reaching the crescendo, it feels as if Qala doesn’t allow itself to fully descend into the glorious madness it teases at. Black Swan vibes, for sure.
Qala marks the debut of late Irrfan Khan’s son Babil Khan. Though the cast is packed with incredibly stellar actors, an earnest Babil manages to hold his own with quiet conviction. There is a glimpse of the late Irrfan Sir in the promising young actor. It is an interesting role to debut with for sure.
Tripti Dimri steals the show as the titular Qala. The actress looks like a painting come to life. Her performance is layered and poignant. Her expressive eyes fully convey the depth of her character’s insecurities, desperation, determination and survivor’s guilt.
Swastika Mukherjee has an arresting presence as Qala’s mother, doing full justice to the condescension that her role requires. In essence, the plot of Qala may be predictable but the beauty lies in its strong execution.
Amit Trivedi’s music is simply mesmerizing with soulful lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya, Swanand Kirkire, Varun Grover and Kausar Munir.
Hit Or Miss:
Definitely worth watching once for the sheer beauty of its visuals and songs. Tripti Dimri carries the film with a quiet elegance. Qala is just the perfect sort of film to watch on a wintery evening when you’re in the mood for something melancholic.
Qala is streaming on Netflix.
