Kalank, Movie Review: Slightly Predictable This Alia Bhatt's Extra-Marital Affair With Varun Dhawan, But Baaki Almost Sab 1ST Class Hai

Nothing forbidden about this Alia Bhatt's open extra-marital liaison with Varun Dhawan. Scores brownie points in many departments. But what Kalank's director Abhishek Varman misses to deliver are those few elements of surprise which are direly needed when you tell a story

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Updated on Apr 18 2019, 22:49:45

Kalank, Movie Review: Slightly Predictable This Alia Bhatt's Extra-Marital Affair With Varun Dhawan, But Baaki Almost Sab 1ST Class Hai

Heady mix- courtesan, scared father, young girl hopelessly in love, young man wanting to avenge his illegitimacy, husband who suggests that his wife is the first and last girl in his life and the wife who is counting her last days of existence. Interesting dance numbers by Kiara Advani (who often finds herself in bed with Dhawan Jr) and Kriti Sanon (who puts everything into her item number). But what I missed was the unpredictability in the story. When you have such a big cast staring at you, one is bound to expect a lot of twists and turns like in K3G, KHNH, K2H2 and KANK which take you by surprise. Sadly, that is missing here, perhaps because Abhishek Varman (director) rolls out the story in a very step-by-step way.

Visually a treat packed with strong performances from most actors. The climax scene, in particular, will remain in your memory for a long time. It is patiently and beautifully shot, you feel for the characters and Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt excel in that frame.

A Still From Kalank

Varun and Alia have to say less in dialogues than through eyes- and it's a tie when it comes to correcting their papers before putting their marks on the report card. Madhuri Dixit is fine. Ditto for Sanjay Dutt. Wish we had more scenes between them- at least a flashback- to add to the existing just one. Wish there were more confrontation scenes between the shaken-up father and the angry, young son. Am not telling you much into the story, for if you need to know why- that's just not my style.

A Still From Kalank

Is the length too long, for that was the concern expressed yesterday in a section of the media? Nope, it's fine. In fact, I didn't find it long at all, the interval happened without any squirm.

A Still From Kalank

Sonakshi Sinha needed a good performance to boost herself and she delivers one. Should have had a longer screen presence. In fact, the film starts with her!

A Still From Kalank

A sincere piece of advice. Dutt needs to get back into his best shape pronto. Can't forget how handsome and dashing he looked until not very long ago.

A Still From Kalank

The music is fine. Guess it could have exceeded expectations like Ae Dil Hai Mushkil from the same stable. Wonder what Hiten Tejwani was doing in the film. Plus, Aditya's sudden lovemaking for someone other than his first wife when he's busy lecturing/hinting almost all the while that he can't see anybody else in her shoes is a bit questionable. Would have been better if Kunal Khemu and Aditya had put in a little more jaan in their body language.

I am going with THREE.