‘Jai Gangaajal’ movie review: A relevant plot with average execution

Directed by: Prakash Jha
Produced by: Prakash Jha, Milind Dabke
Cast: Priyanka Chopra, Prakash Jha, Manav Kaul
Duration: 2 hours 38 minute
Bollywood Bubble Rating: 2.5/5

Prakash Jha’s 2003 film ‘Gangaajal’ narrated the tale of a courageous and honest police officer who is transferred to Tezpur (Bihar) which is under the control of local dons, and tried to instill the spirit of honesty into the rotten local administration. Jha refused to call ‘Jai Gangaajal’ a sequel of the 2003 film. However, they both are pretty much on the same lines and deal with more or less similar occurrences.

Abha Mathur (Priyanka Chopra) is appointed as the first female SP of Bankipur District (Madhya Pradesh) which is dominated by local MLA Bablu Pandey (Manav Kaul), his brother and their gang. In their vested interests, the politicians bribe and control the police officers, including inspector BN Singh (Prakash Jha). Abha Mathur fights an uphill battle to restore transparency and honesty by confronting the MLA and the ministers, fighting ruthless battles with hooligans. undergoing a series of psychological wax and wane. Would Abha emerge victorious? That’s for you to find out!

But the film is not just about honesty prevailing. Parallely, there’s another story of transformation. There’s an intense saga of how a corrupt police officer finds his way back to conscience. That is no less appealing than Abha’s struggle to re-establish law and order amidst anarchy.

Priyanka Chopra, with her subtle yet firm performance, is a treat. However, Prakash Jha, throughout the film, is as powerful as Priyanka. In fact, there are instances where he over shadows her. Manav Kaul has once again shown why directors bank upon him when it comes to playing characters with fine twists and emotions. Rahul Bhat decently plays a qualified NRI who returns to India for the sake of his native land’s development.

‘Jai Gangaajal’ has a story which is relevant and in many cases, is a narration of the reality. However, it goes wrong in more than one places. The film durates for 2 hours and 40 minutes, which feels a bit too lengthy. Jha probably finds it difficult to execute a thriller without violence, but there were instances where we there was an overdose of action. Also, the loud background music fails to evoke thrills, rather it diminishes the impact of the crucial moments in the film. Neither are the songs very impressive. Salim-Sulaiman have failed to make a mark here. Considering the technical approach, it is no more than average.

In the end, despite a set of strong actors, ‘Jai Gangaajal’ remains an honest but predictable endeavour by Jha.

However, watch it to revisit the disturbing reality we live in and also for the sake of the onscreen performances delivered by the actors.

Ranjini Maitra

Journalist. Writer. Reader. Enthu cutlet. Mood-swing machine. Day dreamer. Sandwiched between ‘live life fully’ and ‘lose some weight’. Mantra of life: Love and love more.