MOVIE REVIEW

PINK
INTRODUCTION: A 2016 Indian legal thriller movie directed by Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury,
written by Shoojit Sircar, Ritesh Shah and Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury and produced by Rising
Sun Films on a budget of 30 crore’s, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari,
Andrea Tariang, Angad Bedi, Tushar Pandey, Piyush Mishra, and Dhritiman Chatterjee. It
released in worldwide cinemas on 16 September 2016 and received appreciation worldwide for
its cast performances, execution, story, screenplay and direction.
It is a courtroom drama which deals with important social issues, particularly women's rights and
the stigma surrounding them in Indian society. And has no relationship as being the favourite
colour of girls but rather conveys that women should have the freedom to speak and walk freely
at night.
PLOT OF THE FILM: The story revolves around three independent girls, Minal (Taapsee
Pannu), Andrea (Andrea Tariang) and Falak Ali (Kirti Kulhari) stay together on a rental basis in
Delhi. On a night after attending a rock concert, these girls accept a dinner invite by Rajveer
(Angad Bedi) and his two friends. They head to a hotel where after a few drinks, the guys try to
assault them. Rajveer tries to molest Minal, and in an attempt to save herself, she hits him with a
glass bottle that leaves him deeply wounded. Rajveer comes from a political family and has
powerful connections. They turned the lives of these girls into a nightmare. Minal and her friends
file a police complaint but, it goes in vain due to Rajveer's political connections. These young
women find themselves in a legal battle and they seek legal help of eminent lawyer Deepak
Saigal (Amitabh Bachchan) who is under medication, to maintain their innocence. Will Mr.
Saigal be able to prove the innocence of these girls in the court? The film explores the legal
proceedings and the societal pressures the women face as they fight for justice.
DIRECTION AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: As a courtroom drama on women’s
safety and many a sub-theme within the gender identity aspect, PINK has outstanding
performances by a group of talented actors. Starting off with megastar Amitabh Bachchan, well,
he has done a brilliant job and can be seen in an extremely powerful role. Portraying the
character of lawyer Deepak Sehgal, Bachchan has acted in the most kind and sensitive way.
Even as an aged, lonely and indisposed lawyer, Bachchan has put in his best efforts towards
making his character believable. Talking about the other actors, Taapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari,
Andrea Tariang, Angad Bedi (Rajvir), Piyush Mishra (as Rajvir’s lawyer) and Dhritiman
Chatterjee (portraying the role of the Judge) has excelled in their respective roles, taking the flick
to a whole new level.
Aniruddha (Director) keeps the scene tight and tense. The writing by Ritesh Shah is terrific. So
are the performances. The women don’t seem like they are acting. These are women we might
know - strong and vulnerable and confused and angry. There's a wonderful moment when falak
is ready to apologize to Rajveer. But a conversation with him enrages her so much that she
screams at him definetly. After all this is a man who belives that 'aaisi ladkiyon ke saath aaisa
hi hota hai'. Taapsee is excellent in the courtroom scene. And a special salute to Amitabh
Bachchan who imbues his character with a tragic majesty.
POSITIVE ASPECT: A powerful script accompanied by superb performances has put PINK
into the category of ‘must-watch’ films. The brilliant dialogue delivery of Amitabh Bachchan in
courtroom scenes will keep the audience engaged throughout the length of movie.
The film was appreciated for its realism and the way it portrays the legal system in India. It
doesn't rely on typical Bollywood melodrama but instead presents a grounded and serious
approach to the subject matter. The courtroom sequences are particularly gripping and make the
audience question their own biases and preconceptions. "Pink" is not just a film but a social
commentary on the challenges and prejudices faced by women in India. It serves as an important
reminder of the need for gender equality and the importance of respecting women's rights and
choices. It defies stereotypes associated with female characters in Indian cinema. The women in
the film are not portrayed as one-dimensional figures but as individuals with their own
complexities, strengths, and vulnerabilities.
SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE:
This movie in its sociological perspective works because the grimness of the material of this
movie doesn't weigh on just the telling, it isn't about a labored lecture on women's right but an
actual awareness and reality of Indian Society and the present biasness present in the society. Not
because this film is telling us anything new. A cursory glance at the news will tell us of the
trauma that Indian women (Urban or rural) face on a daily basis. But Pink makes the horror so
real that the audiences skin crawls. It is a detailing of how a prying neighbor, the sniggering co-
workers and indifferent treatment of cops towards general public specially women present in the
society. This movie single handedly shows how the society treats an independent woman who
live their lives on their own conditions. Later on, this movie creates awareness about how a
women's immediate NO should be a NO for any person. This movie talks about certain societal
indifferences which women faces in their daily lives:
Consent and Women's Rights: "Pink" addresses the crucial issue of consent. It highlights the
importance of respecting a woman's right to make choices about her body and her life. This is a
topic that has gained increased attention in society, particularly in discussions about sexual
harassment and assault.
Victim-Blaming: The film tackles the problem of victim-blaming, a common occurrence when
women report instances of harassment or assault. It shows how society often holds women
accountable for the actions of others and questions their character or morality, rather than
focusing on the behavior of the perpetrators.
Legal System and Justice: The film provides an insight into the challenges faced by women
when navigating the legal system. It highlights the need for a fair and empathetic legal process
that does not further traumatize victims but instead provides them with the support and justice
they deserve.
Empowerment: "Pink" portrays the courage and determination of the female characters as they
stand up against societal pressure and prejudice. It serves as an inspiring story of empowerment
and resilience, encouraging women to assert their rights and seek justice.
Feminism and Gender Equality: The film aligns with the principles of feminism and the
broader movement for gender equality. It challenges deeply ingrained patriarchal attitudes and
encourages a more equal and just society.
CRITICAL EVALUATION: In the movie, the scenes are wonderfully handled and the acting,
especially by the three lead actresses, is top-notch. But the lack of attention to detail makes the
audience wishes that the makers had paid some attention to how basic court procedures are
handled. Sehgal calls and dismisses witnesses at will, the trial proceeds at a lightning pace and
the judge decides to convict someone of a crime they haven’t even been charged with. Also, a
lengthier second half is the only glitch in PINK and perhaps something that might bore the
audiences.
CONCLUSION: The only conclusion to draw from this movie review is that the movie "Pink"
is largely a triumph - a Bollywood film that talks about a burning topic and finds an entertaining
way to do it. If only they had known where to stop the gimmickry and take it down a notch, it
would have been a landmark film. It is a must-watch film for girls and boys of all ages. The film
will prove how stereotyping creates dangerous consequences, and how it is harmful when it
limits the women’s and men’s capacity to develop their personal abilities. The film also
questions the perceived notions of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ and gives a lot of food for thought to the
young brigade of the dynamic nation. Don’t miss it!
AND YES….. A NO IS ALWAYS A NO……….
NAME- Aditi Mishra,
BALLB 2ND YEAR (A)
(3RD SEM)
Roll no- 11