Just when you think you’ve seen every conceivable plot in Bollywood, along comes “Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery,” a film that centers its narrative around a police investigation of the disappearance of two jackfruits. Yes, you read that correctly. Jackfruits.
Directed by Yashowardhan Mishra and released on Netflix on May 19, 2023, “Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery” is a satirical ride set in the Moba district of Uttar Pradesh, India.
Kathal – Cast
The film boasts an array of talented actors, including Sanya Malhotra, Vijay Raaz, Gurpal Singh, Satish Sharma, and Rajpal Yadav, among others.
- Sanya Malhotra as Mahima Basor
- Anant V Joshi as Sourabh Dwivedi
- Gurpal Singh as SP Angrez Singh Randhawa
- Neha Saraf as Kunti Parihar
- Vijay Raaz as Munnalal Patera
- Rajpal Yadav as Reporter Anuj
- Govind Pandey as Constable Mishra
- Brijendra Kala as Srivastva
- Apoorva Chaturvedi as Amiya
- Ravi Jhankal as Chandulal
- Raghubir Yadav as Gulab Seth
- Ekta Singh as Anuj’s Saale Sahab’s wife
The plot, co-written by Yashowardhan and Ashok Mishra, is as unusual as it is bold. The narrative kicks off when local MLA, Munnalal Pateria (Vijay Raaz), files a police complaint about two missing jackfruits from his mansion. These aren’t just any jackfruits, but a rare variety from Malaysia.
Not only does their disappearance pose a personal inconvenience for Munnalal, but it also has political implications – the jackfruits were to be turned into a pickle for the Party President and CM. Thus begins a bizarre investigation led by Inspector Mahima Basor (Sanya Malhotra).
Deft Handling of a Unique Plot
Despite its absurd premise, the film uses this outlandish investigation as a vehicle for deeper socio-political commentary, examining issues like corruption, caste system, gender inequalities, and the status of women in society. It’s not a new approach to tackle pressing societal issues with a coating of humour – films like “Peepli Live” have been down this road. “Kathal,” however, ventures into uncharted territory with its storyline.
Check out more photos from Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery
A key element of the narrative is its exploration of Mahima Basor’s character. Sanya Malhotra delivers a commanding performance, taking on a role that is as complex as it is relatable. Her character is assigned a seemingly trivial case but takes it head-on, amidst resistance and ridicule. Balancing her professional commitments with her personal life, Mahima’s character presents an empathetic and realistic portrayal of a woman striving to establish herself in a male-dominated society and workplace. Her quiet defiance against Vijay Raaz’s MLA character, who openly practices caste discrimination, is one of the most impactful elements of the plot.
Kathal – Performances and Direction
The performances in “Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery” are generally noteworthy. Anant Vijay Joshi as Saurabh Dwivedi, Mahima’s love interest, is likable despite his character’s flaws.
Vijay Raaz‘s portrayal of the MLA character is convincing, making the audience wish to see more of him.
Rajpal Yadav brings his typical comedic flair to the role of Anuj, delivering several memorable moments. However, the standout performance is undoubtedly that of Sanya Malhotra, who effortlessly carries the weight of the film on her shoulders.
Despite the unique plot and strong performances, the film is not without its weaknesses. Yashowardhan Mishra’s direction shows promise, and there are moments of brilliance, but they are scattered amidst sequences that fall flat.
The overall treatment of the film resembles that of “Peepli Live,” successfully using humour to highlight societal issues. But, the script fails to keep up the pace and intensity throughout.
The screenplay, though filled with intriguing moments, doesn’t quite live up to the plot’s potential. The humour sometimes falls flat, and the mystery around the missing jackfruit seems to lose focus as the film progresses.
A Not-so-smooth Ride
There are points in the film where the narrative takes unexpected and jarring turns. The transition between acts is particularly problematic, creating a disjointed viewing experience. Instead of seamlessly blending the various elements of the narrative, these transitions create bumps that prevent the plot from flowing smoothly.
This is especially noticeable when the film attempts to tackle weighty issues. The focus on the caste system, gender inequality, and corruption is commendable, but the film fails to deliver these messages smoothly. Rather than being woven naturally into the narrative, they appear as stark shifts in tone that disrupt the viewing experience.
Music and Cinematography of Kathal
Music, scored by Ram Sampath, is light and fitting for the film’s mood. The songs are appropriately placed, though sometimes they seem to be included haphazardly. DOP Harshvir Oberai succeeds in capturing the rural setting authentically, creating a visual palette that is as engaging as it is realistic.
Conclusion
“Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery” is not your run-of-the-mill Bollywood film. It dares to venture into uncharted territory, providing a satirical look at some of India’s deep-seated social issues. It’s a bold move, but it doesn’t entirely pay off.
The plot is clever, and the performances are stellar, but the execution is inconsistent. For every moment of brilliance, there is a corresponding moment that falls flat. Yet, there’s no denying that “Kathal” is an important film. It highlights the power of cinema to not only entertain but also enlighten, providing a platform for serious discussions about societal issues.
Despite its flaws, “Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery” is a film worth watching. It’s unique, thought-provoking, and at times, downright hilarious. Watch it for its bold attempt at satire, the compelling performances, and the jackfruits, of course!
How would I rate Kathal?
Rating: 3.5/5. While the film’s unique premise and compelling performances make it worth a watch, inconsistencies in tone, pacing, and execution hold it back from reaching its full potential.
The reasons behind the rating of 3.5 out of 5 for “Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery“. Let’s break down the aspects of the film that contributed to this rating.
Original and Engaging Plot (0.75/1):
The storyline of “Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery” is one of its primary strengths. The absurdity of a police investigation revolving around the disappearance of two jackfruits provides an element of novelty and intrigue, making it one of the most engaging aspects of the film. However, despite its uniqueness, the storyline has its drawbacks. The film sometimes struggles to maintain the balance between its comedic elements and its socio-political commentary, causing the plot to lose focus at times. This slightly takes away from the overall impact of the narrative, leading to a score of 0.75.
Performances (0.75/1):
The film is packed with powerful performances, especially from Sanya Malhotra, who portrays the protagonist Mahima Basor, a diligent and defiant police officer. The supporting cast also does justice to their roles, creating a rich tapestry of characters. However, the performances, despite being compelling, were slightly held back by the unevenness in the screenplay, leading to a score of 0.75.
Direction and Screenplay (0.5/1):
Director Yashowardhan Mishra shows promise with “Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery,” but the inconsistent pacing and at times disjointed transitions indicate areas for improvement. The screenplay, co-written by Yashowardhan and Ashok Mishra, is clever and filled with intriguing moments, but the humor sometimes falls flat, and the handling of social issues occasionally feels forced. This aspect of the film earns a score of 0.5.
Music and Cinematography (0.5/1):
The film’s music and cinematography both lend to its overall appeal. Ram Sampath’s music, though light and fitting for the film’s mood, at times seems to be included haphazardly, making it feel less organic. Similarly, Harshvir Oberai’s cinematography captures the authentic feel of rural Uttar Pradesh, but does not consistently elevate the storytelling experience, leading to a score of 0.5.
Overall Impact (1/1):
Despite its flaws, “Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery” makes a strong overall impact, primarily due to its willingness to explore socio-political themes through an unconventional narrative. This bold move makes the film worth watching and earns it a full point for overall impact.
Thus, while “Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery” presents a unique premise, commendable performances, and an interesting exploration of social issues, it’s the inconsistencies in tone, pacing, and execution that prevent the film from achieving a higher rating.
