Jalsa Movie Review: Vidya Balan and Shefal Shah Movie Is Seating Edge Thriller With Strong Performances

Star Cast: Manav Kaul, Vidya Balan, Shefali Shah, Rohini Hattangadi, Kani Kusruti and ensemble

Director: Suresh Triveni

Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video (click to watch)

Filmyhype.com Ratings: 3.5/5 (three and half star) [yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]

Well one of my much awaited film Jalsa finally released on Amazon Prime Video. After watching trailer I was very excited to watch two iconic actresses Vidya Balan and Shefali Shah sharing screen space, and trust me it is very satisfying. It has been more than 10 years since Vidya Balan changed the looks of Hindi cinema with her film ‘Dirty Picture’. When there was a lockdown in Corona, her picture ‘Shakuntala Devi’ became the most viewed film on Prime Video after ‘Gulabo Sitabo’. Then she roared in ‘Sherni’ and now this is her new ‘Jalsa’ of acting.

Jalsa Movie Review: The Story

In Jalsa, Vidya Balan plays Maya Menon, a successful journalist whom people like to watch and listen to. At the same time, Shefali Shah is seen in the role of helper Rukhsana Mohammad, who works at Maya’s house. One night when Maya is on her way home from office, she accidentally meets with an accident in her car. But due to fear, Maya leaves the girl Aaliya on the road in agony. The story progresses and it is revealed that Alia, who had an accident with Maya, is Rukhsana’s daughter. Now what does Maya do to save herself and how the stories of other people join in this situation, this is the story of the film. The story gets more interesting when Rukhsana comes to know that her daughter Aaliya had an accident from Maya. What happens after this, whether Maya gets punished or not… whether Rukhsana takes revenge or not you have to watch the film to know all this.

By telling the whole story, I do not want to spoil the fun of you watching this film here. Yes, I would definitely like to tell that I started watching this film according to the possible hat-trick of Vidya Balan on OTT and when the film ended, I also applauded sitting alone, but along with Vidya Balan, Shefali Shah, Suriya, on the work of Rohini, Vidhatri and Shrikant Mohan Yadav. When the film ends, it is written, ‘A film by Suresh Triveni and team’. His pairing with Vidya started with ‘Tumhari Sulu’. Suresh’s untold impact in cinema is more than said. He plays into the peace between the dialogues. The entire sequence of Ruksana with the mistress’ son on the beach in the climax is the lifeblood of the film. And, before that, Maya’s panic and screaming after the accident.

Jalsa Movie Review and Analysis

The film ‘Jalsa’ is not a masala film. There is no trick, item song or even Nain Matka like Srivalli. This is the story of human relationships. A story in which the criminal himself feels guilty. Those on whom the blame of the accident fell are unknown to them. Human life costs. And, the big question of the film is what if the poor gets a chance to pay the price of the life of the rich. Vidya Balan and Shefali Shah are the two ends of this whole balance. Vidya Balan did a good job which was expected of her. She is the superstar of films made on non-leak subjects. The fruits of ‘Vicky Donor’ and subsequent pictures have blossomed on the plant planted by Vidya. The rudders of new boats flowing in the same stream have been held by actresses like Taapsee Pannu, Kriti Sanon and Shefali Shah. That’s it, this time Vidya has acted as the catalyst of the story and has left the theater for the feats of the rest of the cast.

The story of the film ‘Jalsa’, the performance of its actors, its dialogues and its direction are excellent. The screenplay demands a little more tautness. The film’s duration of close to two hours and 10 minutes was probably kept according to its release in theatres. Saurabh Goswami’s camera and Shiv Kumar Panicker’s editing also play the same way in the film. However, the makers of the film should have reduced its length a bit once the digital release was finalized. It would have been an amazing 90 minute digital film. Wherever the film slackens in between, its actors are constantly taunting their performances. Another strong aspect of the film is its background score. With the help of live orchestra, Gaurav Chatterjee and George Joseph have helped the director to make the film’s plot ascend and descend with the sentiments of the film. The film can be watched with the whole family and can be a great family entertainer during the Holi holiday.

Jalsa Movie Review: Acting and Directing

Vidya Balan and Shefali Shah, both are excellent actors and once again both have shown their acting skills in this film. While Vidya had earlier won accolades in Sherni and Tumhari Sulu, Shefali won the hearts of the audience by playing a completely different character in Delhi Crime and Human. In Jalsa, where Vidya looks impeccable in the role of a journalist, her fight with herself since the incident is also visible on her face. On the other hand, Shefali has portrayed the character of Made as well as the feelings of a mother. After watching the film, it would not be wrong to say that Shefali Shah has even surpassed Vidya. Vidya’s look is not much different, but Shefali looks quite molded in her character and it is difficult to recognize her even once on screen. Talking about the rest of the characters, everyone has done their part. Although the fans of Manav Kaul will definitely start thinking that what was he doing in this film? If we talk about direction after acting, then there is scope for further improvement in it. The film looks broken in many parts from the story and direction part. It has been shown well in the film that every story has some other story attached to it.

Jalsa Movie Review: The Last Words

The film of about 2 hours is the best. The ending of the film tells us that life always gives us options, what we choose is up to us. With this thought ‘Jalsa’ leaves us. Not only thinking, the film also leaves us with some questions, which would have been better if they were answered. Overall, if you do not feel like watching any other film this weekend, then this film can be seen.