A story about the passionate love of six interconnected people, Kalank is different from your normal Bollywood fare.

Written by Shibani Bathija, the story is a rare drama where you have a dying female character named Sathya Chaudhry (Sonakshi Sinha) trying to find a woman to marry her husband when she dies.

The film kicks off when Dev Chaudhry (Aditya Roy Kapur) marries a woman, named Roop (Alia Bhatt), whom he does not love. Roop falls in love with another man, Zafar (Vaarun Dhawan), who is indirectly connected to Dev.

Bathija created six different characters that touch each other’s lives through love and hate. She also adds a touch of feminism in her story as seen in the scene where Roop challenges taboos when announcing her preference for another man.

Director Abhishek Varman had the backup of the best of the best for this film, which included an excellent team of producers. His talent as a creative director can be seen in the powerful performances of his cast.

Bhatt gives an electric performance as a young educated woman who defies tradition just to get what she wants.

Dhawan, with his perfect six pack, is outstanding as Zafar — the illegitimate son of Dev’s father — who plots his revenge to destroy his father and Dev through Roop.  

Another stunning performance is by Madhurit Dixit Nene, as Bahaar Begum, who plays the role of mistress and mother. Dixit’s dance performances in the film are astounding.

A dashing Kapur portrays a quiet stern man who does not budge on his principles.  

Veteran actor Sanjay Dutt, who has a minor role as Balraj Choudhry, gives a stunning performance as the father. While he usually plays the role of villains, Dutt proves himself to be even better in a passive role in this movie.

The dialogue, written by Hussain Dalal, is alluring with a touch of emotional hype. In one scene, Roop tells her beloved Zafar: “If you take other people’s failure as your victory, then you are the greatest failure in the world.”

Another is when Dev tells Roop that “he will only get respect and not love in this relationship. I hope your heart is bigger than mine that in time you can forgive me”. 

With Karan Johar as one of the producers, the movie definitely has “Johar’s touch” as seen in the exquisite sets replicating a Delhi Mohalla glittered with numerous dance numbers by Dixit.

The excellent musical composition by Pritam is brought to life by Sanchit and Ankit Balhara — igniting emotions in the film.

Kalank could have been an OK film except for its script. It could have been tightened to shorten the film.

There are scenes that seem to be stretched beyond expectation and could have been shortened, especially toward the end, like when Roop cries on a train.

Lessons to be learned are subtly portrayed by director Varman in Kalank through Zafar, who shifts from vengeance to love; or through Roop who stands up for herself with her husband; as well as through Begum who chooses to do the right thing by exposing her son’s motives.

Kalank is an exceptional movie experience, from sets to dance performances, storyline and direction. It is also visually spectacular.

— Photos Courtesy of Dharma Productions

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Kalank

(Dharma Productions; 166 minutes)
Directed by Abhishek Varman
Cast Madhuri Dixit Nene, Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, Aditya Roy Kapur, Sanjay Dutt

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