Batti Gul Meter Chalu (2018) [Movie Review]


Dir: Shree Narayan Singh
Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Divyendu Sharma and Yami Gautam
Dur: 2 hrs 41 mins
Genre: Social Drama
Rating: 7/10

The film’s title is quite revealing and its concept is interesting. I quite liked what the director did with the film, although I have my reservations. This could very well have been simply a great social drama film but thanks to the emphasis on romance, it has to settle for being just an average social drama.

The film centres around three friends, two boys and a girl, who are quite inseparable until the girl decides to do the one thing that is sure to stir up trouble: date both of her best friends separately. Considering that this is set in the remote state of Uttarakhand, it is quite a bold move, and also quite an awful way of introducing drama. In between shots of friendship and romance, we are made aware of the sufferings of the locals with regard to power cuts. Against the social situation, one of the boys, Tripathi (Divyendu) decides to open a printing and packaging factory. Obviously, he begins to face problems with electricity. But the problems spiral out of proportion when the electricity department, which happens to be run by a private company, SPTL, sends him inflated bills. Conveniently, his buddy, S.K. (Shahid) is a gallivanting lawyer who makes money by suing hypocritical service providers. Sadly but unsurprisingly, the friends fall out with each other when Nauti (Shraddha) chooses Tripathi over S.K.

Things move from bad to worse with Tripathi until he reaches the end of his rope and decides to end his life. Moved by the news of his friends death, S.K. takes up his case and sues the electrical company. The courtroom drama that ensues is plainly comedic. While the basics of the courtroom atmosphere are in place, the drama is quite fake. Like most, Bollywood films which make use of this scenario, the film goes on to parody the judiciary even while showing its positive side. The film has an unexpected twist and a morally sound ending. I appreciate the honesty of the script to stick with the plot right to the very end. The performances are impressive though not altogether moving. The drama aspect could have been played out a little better but the message comes across loud and clear.

The film fulfils a double role of providing entertainment and making the viewers aware of the electricity problems that numerous of our country’s citizens face on a regular basis. Besides, the corruption in the system which is now common knowledge, it also encourages the viewers to stand for justice and take appropriate steps to ensure that justice is served. For all the positivity the film offers, it deserves a watch.


Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoLTSoVPzQ0

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