Movie Review: 'Revolver Rani'

Revolver Rani

'Revolver Rani'
U/A: Action/romance/satire
Director: Sai Kabir
Cast: Kangna Ranaut, Vir Das, Piyush Mishra, Zakir Hussain
Rating:

Revolver Rani aka Alka Singh (Kangna Ranaut) is not your regular daku (dacoit). She orders clothes from Paris, dreams of escaping to ‘Benice', Italy, and has a Bollywoood struggler (Vir Das) for a lover. Right from the beginning, this girl evokes a mix of emotions, part affection, part repulsion and part excitement. So is this film by the same name.

Kangna Ranaut & Vir Das in 'Revolver Rani'.

Set in Chambal, it is a quirky tale of an unwanted girl child growing up to be a terror in the area thanks to the sheer deftness she displays while using her guns. She has just been ousted from her political position of power by the Tomar family headed by Udayban (Zakir Hussain) and his two imbecile brothers. Alka, with the help of her vily mama, Balli (Piyush Mishra), is trying to win back power by fighting for adivasis whom the Tomars have cheated out of their land. In the meanwhile, Alka's heart flutters for Rohan Mehra, an aspiring actor. Rohan wants to manipulate Alka's position to further his own career, but ends up being a pawn in the political game.

The film starts with much promise, with a kind of quirkiness and black humour that fits well with the subject in hand. The narration and the background music work in absolute tandem to bring us a satire that succeeds in making you chuckle more often than not. But unfortunately, some scenes are so long drawn out that the whole impact begins to fizzle out by the end of it. Sharper editing would have perhaps worked towards retaining the crispness of the characters.

The detailing is precise and apart from what is happening in the forefront, the background is abuzz with activities which make every scene rich and interesting. The director (Sai Kabeer) devotedly sticks to the realities of the residents of this valley, where gun toting is more a way of life than a privilege. A special mention has to be made of a TV anchor in the film, who got the best lines in the script and managed to evoke the maximum amount of laughter.

The best thing about this film is of course, Kangna. The capable actress portrays this offbeat role of a violent, passionate but vulnerable dacoit with commendable ease. Wish her make-up was in sync with her character, as she seemed more fashionably tanned than dusky. The other actors, Mishra, Hussain and company are competent as usual. The only letdown in the film is Vir Das, who seemed to be struggling hard to (unsuccessfully) fit into the whole scheme of things. The next best thing about this film is its music. Watch it.