Thanks to Vidhya Balan's talent in picking the right scripts since the beginning of the last decade, we as audience get to see some good movies from her, almost every year. Sherni is another classic example of Vidhya Balan's selection this time teaming up with Director Amit Masurkar. The movie deals with the prolonging man animal conflict along with all the dirty politics involved by it. The movie highlights some valiant efforts done by the forest department on the conservation part.
On the flip side red tape, lethargy and high handedness involving bureaucrats and politicians of various shades and stature, without understanding the ground realities are also projected in a very realistic manner.
Screenplay focuses a lot on the inner workings of the forest department that takes place after a fatal conflict, though it not very much in detail, it is clever enough to make the point well. Cinematography is crisp and neat, especially the wide angled jungle shots. Production design, costumes, makeup and music were decent. A 130 minute runtime would have definitely kept the editor busy. CGI has come a long way on Indian cinema and Sherni is a good example. On the acting front, Vidhya Balan is in her elements in her portrayal of Vidhya Vincent, the DFO. She is ably supported by some fine performances by Bijendra Kala, Sharat Saxena and Vijay Raaz. Neeraj Kabi & Mukul Chadda don't have much to do.
Overall, Thought Sherni is about the life of a DFO who wants to make a difference, as she is constantly at odds with entrenched patriarchy, Which in fact parallels the plight of the helpless tigers, that are out of their natural habitat due to continuing deforestation and dried-up watering holes. The many strands of Sherni make it the film it is. It touches upon the lopsided nature of development, the rights of forest dwellers, the dangers of a depleting forest cover, and the lust of politicians for power and pelf even as the world around threatens to come unstuck.
Completely watchable along with family, but I am not sure if the movie would suit mainstream cinema audiences. 7.1 stars out of 10 for giving out a refresher course on the importance of nature conservation and crash course on playing easy dirty politics.
On the flip side red tape, lethargy and high handedness involving bureaucrats and politicians of various shades and stature, without understanding the ground realities are also projected in a very realistic manner.
Screenplay focuses a lot on the inner workings of the forest department that takes place after a fatal conflict, though it not very much in detail, it is clever enough to make the point well. Cinematography is crisp and neat, especially the wide angled jungle shots. Production design, costumes, makeup and music were decent. A 130 minute runtime would have definitely kept the editor busy. CGI has come a long way on Indian cinema and Sherni is a good example. On the acting front, Vidhya Balan is in her elements in her portrayal of Vidhya Vincent, the DFO. She is ably supported by some fine performances by Bijendra Kala, Sharat Saxena and Vijay Raaz. Neeraj Kabi & Mukul Chadda don't have much to do.
Overall, Thought Sherni is about the life of a DFO who wants to make a difference, as she is constantly at odds with entrenched patriarchy, Which in fact parallels the plight of the helpless tigers, that are out of their natural habitat due to continuing deforestation and dried-up watering holes. The many strands of Sherni make it the film it is. It touches upon the lopsided nature of development, the rights of forest dwellers, the dangers of a depleting forest cover, and the lust of politicians for power and pelf even as the world around threatens to come unstuck.
Completely watchable along with family, but I am not sure if the movie would suit mainstream cinema audiences. 7.1 stars out of 10 for giving out a refresher course on the importance of nature conservation and crash course on playing easy dirty politics.