‘Bandaa’ – GRIPPING COURTROOM DRAMA

By Aloke B Lal
‘Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai’, streaming on the OTT platform Zee5, is a courtroom drama based on real happenings. There is a disclaimer in the beginning of the film to say that the subject matter is ‘a dramatization of events’. However, there is no doubt about the real identity of the bearded old man we see as the one who is tried and punished by a court of law in Jodhpur. The resemblance of his looks to Asaram Bapu is unmistakable and the victim of his lust is a 16-year old girl from Shahjahanpur, a case which was widely reported in the media. It may be recalled that Asaram Bapu did actually face a trial, and got convicted, for having committed the offence of rape triable under The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The offence was committed in the year 2013 at one of the premises owned by Baba (that’s how Asaram Bapu has been addressed in the movie). He was held guilty after five years, and imprisoned for life. It was a landmark case which brought into the spotlight PC Solanki, a Jodhpur lawyer who had to contend with formidable legal bigwigs to successfully secure a ‘guilty’ verdict against the ‘godman’. In the process, the small-town lawyer also exposed the dirty games jurists of celebratory standing play. Having emerged successful against great odds, Solanki became a heroic face.
It is often hard to follow up a sensational true happening with a film that captures not just the high drama of the event, but also has the appeal for the viewer who might already be aware of much of what had happened. One must say that ‘Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai’ manages to do that. Much of the action of the narrative is inside a courtroom. The importance of well-written dialogues is brought out here as it is the spoken word that becomes the focus in courtroom dramas. The viewer gets hooked as two consummate actors, Manoj Bajpayee and Vipin Sharma, deliver those lines with perfection.
The primary draw of the film is its lead actor, Manoj Bajpayee, who plays Solanki. Over the years one has come to expect only the best from Bajpayee, and he doesn’t disappoint in playing the intrepid lawyer. The nuances he has brought to his dialogue delivery make it one of the best portrayals in his illustrious career. Be it his courtroom lines, ones spoken to the victim Nu, her parents, or his mother, his son, the judges, the legal luminaries he is in awe of, and his assistant, he brings that fine distinction of emotions which few actors have the capability of depicting.
Adrija Sinha, who plays the victim of rape, Nu, is outstanding and one can look forward to a distinguished acting career ahead for this teenager. How I wish she was given more footage to bring to the fore the trauma she had experienced; disappointingly, it is Bajpayee who is tasked with conveying her suffering. Surya Mohan Kulshreshtha, who plays Baba, is competent. Vipin Sharma plays the lawyer defending Baba. He is directly pitted against Manoj; and with a sterling performance, the ‘Taare Zameen Par’ actor shows yet again why he is rated so highly. Jaihind Kumar, who plays Nu’s father, brings the agony he experiences as the victim’s parent tellingly though it’s only a short role.
The film has been directed with admirable skill by Apoorv Singh Karki. It has been written by Deepak Kingrani. There are passages in the film where one would have liked to see tighter script. Cinematography by Arjun Kukreti is average.
The film may be seen for the storytelling, drama, and dialogues. And, of course, for Manoj Bajpayee’s performance. The popularity of the film on OTT has been so immense that it has been released in cinema halls as well. So viewers have both choices now.

Rating: 3.5/5