Cast
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Amitabh Bachchan
as Badal Gupta
Taapsee Pannu
as Naina Sethi
Tony Luke
as Arjun Joseph
Amrita Singh
as Rani Kaur
Manav Kaul
as Jimmy Panjabi
Tanveer Ghani
as Nirmal
Denzil Smith
as Detective Sodhi
Mark Mansfield
as TV Reporter
April Agarwal-Aplin
as Sanna Sethi
Rachel Flynn
as Rachael Joseph
Jason Hetherington
as The Driver
Selina Hotwani
as Jasmeet
Maram Kamal
as Hallie Hume
Shome Makhija
as Sunil Sethi
Begonia Villalba
as Police Officer
Crew
Director
- Sujoy Ghosh
Producer
- Gaurav Verma
- Gauri Khan
- Shah Rukh Khan
- Sunir Kheterpal
Reviews
ProudPittieMom
I'm not one to turn down any movie with Amitabh Bachchan and this was a fun one to watch. Full of twists, turns and dead ends it does keep you guessing. I like this type of mystery once in awhile and the timing was right for me. There is some nice scenery in places, but most of the story telling occurs in one room. There are a few minor stumbles in the script, but nothing that destroys the story. Even though one lie was fairly obvious from the start, the entire story kept changing enough to make me doubt myself a little. As always, Amitabh Bachchan uses his voice to pull you in and hold your attention. The rest of the cast is good and does their part to make the movie succeed.
If you like a tale told with many sharp corners, abrupt slamming on the brakes and the suspense of seeing someone wrapped up in their own lies, you will enjoy this movie. The only unfortunate aspect of such a movie is that even old ladies, like myself, are unlikely to forget the outcome, so it is a watch once experience.
Sep 7, 2019
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Badla examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Sujoy Ghosh brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2019, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its critical acclaim reflects its artistic achievements and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Badla took approximately 34 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 120 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 167 minutes long.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 10 months to complete.
- The film contains approximately 922 individual shots.
- The screenplay went through 12 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
Historical Context
- In 2019, when this film is released:
- Streaming services were revolutionizing film and television consumption.
- Climate change awareness was becoming a central global concern.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Badla shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Fighter, which focuses more on action than character development, Badla subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Meraa Ghar Mere Bacche and Anu explore similar territory, Badla stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: March 8, 2019
- Runtime: 2h
Where to Watch
