Qala Review - A Haunting Tale of Guilt and Jealousy

Plot:

In Anvitaa Dutt's Qala, Triptii Dimri stars as a gifted playback singer haunted by her past and overshadowed by her mother's favouritism for an outsider, Jagan (Babil Khan). Qala's journey is not just about seeking her mother's approval or rising to fame, but also about navigating the sexist showbiz of the 1930s and 40s. The story explores the complexity and toxicity of a mother-daughter relationship with honesty and empathy, creating a haunting, psychological drama set to classical music.

Acting: Triptii Dimri is the Heart and Soul of Qala

Triptii Dimri delivers a sincere, vulnerable performance as Qala, capturing her character's frustrations, insecurities, and pain convincingly. She also shines in scenes set in the recording room, internalising Qala's emotions and struggles. Swastika Mukherjee provides depth to her character, Urmila, with her stoic performance, showcasing the mother's complexities and flaws. Babil Khan, burdened with a one-dimensional character, manages to make his on-screen presence felt with his realistic acting style.

Cinematography: A Distinct, Rich Look and Feel

Qala boasts of exceptional cinematography by Siddharth Diwan, capturing the beauty and eeriness of Qala's world with precision and artistry. The film has a distinctive, rich look and feel, with its attention to detail and use of lighting techniques to maintain intrigue and suspense.

Direction: Anvita Dutt's Aesthetical Approach

Anvita Dutt's directorial approach in Qala is aesthetical and shows her vision to create a world of haunting poetry and emotional horror. Despite the sedentary pace of the film, Dutt manages to keep the audience engrossed with her attention to detail and alternating viewpoints. She creates an immersive, hypnotic world that exudes rawness and empathy and captures the tension between Qala and Urmila with honesty and maturity.

Music: Classical Music at the Heart of the Narrative

Amit Trivedi's classical tunes are an integral part of the narrative, adding depth and emotion to the characters' journeys. The songs are beautifully written by Amitabh Bhattacharya, Kausar Munir, Swanand Kirkire and Varun Grover. Singers Sireesha Bhagavatula and Shahid Mallya do justice to their roles and add to the film's haunting, melancholic vibe.

Verdict: A Promising Effort with Limitations

Qala's basic plot has tremendous potential, but the execution falls short of expectations. The film feels undercooked, with certain subplots and characters being relegated to the background. However, the film deserves credit for handling sensitive issues with maturity and empathy, with no attempt to sensationalise them. Triptii Dimri delivers a heartfelt performance, and Swastika Mukherjee and Babil Khan make their mark with their understated acting style. Despite its limitations, Qala is a film that looks and sounds gorgeous and must be appreciated for its artistry and vision.

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