No One Killed Jessica reviews

No One Killed Jessica may be one of the most realistic of the films that treads to dark waters of representing the faulty waters of the Indian Gove... read more

No One Killed Jessica may be one of the most realistic of the films that treads to dark waters of representing the faulty waters of the Indian Government system. With its mains starrers as only the 2 leading ladies, Rani Mukerji and Vidya Balan have a huge weight one their shoulders not only to carry the original enactments the way they happned and also to bring their acting as a different touch to it. But also the success of the film depends on the role they both get to play as the original counterparts did in real life. So when we say that its hard to portray the deceiving as well as the injustice to the family that was on the receiving end of the Jurisdiction, viewers get to be a little bit emotional when Rani walks to the graveyard with Vidya standing over the supposedly grave of Jessica and tells her that the case is being reopened for another shot, one does get his or her eyes wet for a time. The director Rajkumar Gupta who earlier directed the acclaimed film Aamir in 2008 and combination of Amit Trivedi of the movie Dev D fame, then its got the viewers already hooked to the plot. Vidya Balan who plays the character of the fighting tigress who fire fizzes out in the end as Jessicas elder sister, Sabrina Lal and Rani a as reporter. A political thriller, set in New Delhi and around the happenings of the infamous, Jessica Lal murder case. The nationwide protests and the reopening of the case and following sentencing of the accused due to the acquitting of the accused by the lower court all is there to show the reality. And not to forget it sure takes the brilliance and the experience of the actors to show the real story as it is. A definite watch for all.view less

What's the verdict? - Heard at the theater: Manu Sharma bh****od sala, us ma*****od ki to g**d maar deni chahiye. I was expecting a subtler reactio... read more

What's the verdict? - Heard at the theater: Manu Sharma bh****od sala, us ma*****od ki to g**d maar deni chahiye. I was expecting a subtler reaction. But such is life, and big screen.

Welcome to Saddi dilli: The fun stops here. Because people can't hold their drinks. Getting them to hold their tongues is much easier. The film covers practically each and every aspect of the Jessica Lall murder case - Shayan Munshi's turning hostile, Malini Ramani's high-class bullshit, and the Lall family coming to terms with the death.
Vidya Balan is brilliant with her restrained yet sensitive portrayal of a sister trying to come to terms with the death and seeking justice from unlikely quarters. No voracious filmi wails and shrieks here. Similarly sensitive was the portrayal of Jessica's father, who in a perplexed moment asks Manu Sharma's parents for 'chai'.

However, What was not acceptable was the overtly dramatic and stylized representation of some facts, and the unnecessary introduction of Rani Mukherjee, who plays sutradhar-cum-main lead. She mostly serves to spice up the proceedings and utter random cuss words every now and then. Something even more unbecoming of the movie was to caricaturize Sheila Dixit, Manmohan Singh and APJ Abdul Kalam, apart from Arundhati Roy and Brinda Karat/Ambika Soni(I am not sure which one it was because of the name changes). All such antics provided lighter moments, however unintended which released tension necessary for the subject matter.

A dramatized, viewer-friendly version for the uninitiated. For people who have already followed the entire course of events, this becomes a history lesson. The Director could have gone the extra mile, offering some food for thought or inspiring people for a change.

Not many complains, though. It makes for gripping viewing, and this is as realistic as Indian cinema can get. view less

Hard hitting movies based on real-life incidents has always tasted mixed reactions at the box office. Jessica Lal murder case has been the talk-of-... read more

Hard hitting movies based on real-life incidents has always tasted mixed reactions at the box office. Jessica Lal murder case has been the talk-of-the-nation for last decade or so. This much-hyped case has brought Indian Judiciary into disrepute and also made the naked-truth of political-corruption more evident. On one hand Jessica's murder has proved that the price tag on common man's life is in shambles; on the other, its trial has stamped the power of media in an effective manner. When RajKumar Gupta announced his next flick No One Killed Jessica (NOKJ) after his debut vehicle- critically acclaimed 'Aamir' - it created lots of positive buzz and anticipactions.

A tadka of 'figment of imagination' is quite obvious when a real-life story is put into a 70mm canvas; what drives NOKJ though, is the juggeranut of underlined emotional current through-out the flick. One might argue over the fact that the proceedings were tad slow and the final-cut could have bit short and crisper, but able craftsmanship by Rajkumar Gupta and strong basic-plot makes it sure that ennui nevers creeps into our system. Full marks to Rajkumar for amalgamating the flashback sequences that shows the Lal sisters' camaraderie and also few lighter moments in between that comes as a respite in an otherwise emotions-driven journey. Rajkumar also resist the temptation of turning Lal's empathy bit melodramatic and he deserves accolades for the same.

The characters of Rani Mukherjee and Vidya Balan has been rightly showcased as two-poles apart and both the seasoned actors does full justice to their respective roles. If Vidya has given strong performance as a seductress in Ishqiya, playing a subdued and unglamorous Sabrina would have been a cake walk for this talented actress. Rani Mukerjee is a charmer and she once again proves all the critics' wrong with her outspoken and super-confident portrayal of a cocky reporter. Few scenes with her uttering expletives, comes as a breath of fresh air and second half totally belongs to this pocket-size dynamo. Rajkumar Gupta has kept her Jessica- 'Myra Karn' under wraps and the gorgeous damsel proves to be a pleasant surprise; way to go..Girl!! Special mention for Amit Trivedi (of DEV.D fame) who in real sense is a different music director and once again he doesn't disappoints. 'Dilli' is the best song of NOKJ and it literally pumps the adrenaline rush with each hearing; 'Salli' is another 'different' song and 'Yeh Pal' provides the gist of the paramount emotions in NOKJ.

Maverick Verdict: NOKJ might be bit low in entertainment quotient but its definitely a one time watch. The emotions of shock-struck family, the case trial with fluctuating-fortunes and even the sporadic humor are in appropriate proportions; NOKJ deserves a dekko for sure.
Special appeal for Indian Judiciary system which goes blind in the wake of hostile witnesses and tampered evidences; we don't need another "No One Killes Aarushi". STAY IN PEACE!!! view less

The film opens with a declaration classifying it as a work of fact-fiction, and not as a documentary. Fair enough, but try as you might, it's impos... read more

The film opens with a declaration classifying it as a work of fact-fiction, and not as a documentary. Fair enough, but try as you might, it's impossible to treat the film as a fictional entity. The story has been run down everyone's throats by newspapers and hysterical news reporters over the last decade, so here it is understandably told with an eye that encompasses the prevalent scenario in India back then.

Including the IC 814 hijacking, the Kargil war, and the legendary Delhi inherent aggression, which provide the backdrop for the story and character.

So even though the names of Manu Sharma, Ram Jethmalani and Shayan Munshi have been changed, it doesn't do much to divert attention from 'what actually transpired'. If the murmurs in the hall were any indication, people were more concerned about the facts being represented accurately. Entertainment is available in plenty here, but its role is just to sugar the pill, as long as it is the right one.

Did Sabrina Lall really react the way Vidya Balan does on hearing of the incident?

Did the concerned journalist(Rani Mukherji, playing Meera) really consider the Jessica Lall story as immaterial initially?

Did Jessica's lawyer actually say the 'Ab to Chchat Se Utar Ke Party Mei Aa Jaa' line in court? And did Sabrina really 'Laugh Out Loud' at it?

So on, and so forth.

Of course, it's foolish to expect the movie to be bang on target in a case where even the judiciary has faltered. It only means that the performances become all the more significant- as they ought to stick to the original characters as well as entertain. Neil Bhoopalam(playing model-actor Shayan Munshi), Vidya Balan and Rani Mukherji do incredibly well here, although the two women fall into needless melodrama mode a few times. Which is more the writers' undoing than the actors' I feel, because if a couple of scenes(like Sabrina Lall's first T.V. appeal) could've been better fleshed out, the movie and the actors could've had a greater impact. However, Amit Trivedi's music adds to it what the script takes away. The India Gate candlelight vigil plays out to brilliant music(The 'Awaaz Do' number)-inspired from the Rang De Basanti scene(both in the film and otherwise, as we are made to believe) and the film owes much of its eventual impact to it. Rani Mukherji's narration about how people take things for granted, and Delhi's obsession with power is another brilliant highlight of the film.

Undoubtedly then, it's a movie well made and worth-watching, and I'm guessing it'll be up on news channels(on movie shows and otherwise) at the end of a year that saw political scams hog more limelight than ugly, naked Big Boss contestants. The only thing I rue, at the risk of sounding cynical, is that this could've been a cult movie, and that opportunity has been frittered away.

So we'll still have to stick to the established cult movies to earn brownie points at meaningless small talk...;)
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The Jessica Lall 'hatyakand' was a famous and well known case in India's modern history. An issue so serious had to be dealt with utmost care. A pr... read more

The Jessica Lall 'hatyakand' was a famous and well known case in India's modern history. An issue so serious had to be dealt with utmost care. A pre existing strong story made the screenplay a crucial factor for this movie to work and that is exactly where this movie falls short. At times it gets so slow that you wish you had the fast forward button at your disposal.

I guess every one is familiar with the Jessica Lall murder story and should look it up on wikipedia if you are not for the entire details. This movie portrays the entire episode in part facts and part fiction. Most of the characters though real are given fake names. The movie leaves a big impact on you but I guess its the story more than the movie that leaves that impact on you. The movie gets way too slow at times and the editor should have done a way better job. One of the best parts in the movie were the starting credits. A very innovative way of showing the story backdrop in Harry Potter like motion newspapers.

The background score is really impressive by Amit Trivedi. It builds the soul of the movie. The track Dilli Dilli is really catchy.

Acting wise the movie neither belongs to Vidya nor Rani. You might remember Rani after the movie for the expletives that she hands out in dozen-fulls. Vidya portrays Sabrina Lall's character but gets a little too grim at times. It was good to see Rani after such a long time but it looked like she was uncomfortable with her dialogs at times.

Raj Kumar Gupta, does a decent job after his cracker debut as a director in Aamir. This time around he had big celebrities and a strong story at his disposal but fails to weave a gripping tight screenplay around it. In the end the pace of the movie marks its downfall.

Overall you feel the impact but the slow pace ruins the fun.

Reasons to watch:
Living through the Jessica Lall story
A story that everyone should know about.
Rani in a different avatar.

Reasons to skip:
A slow paced movie
DVD movie.
Already familiar with Jessica Lall's story.

Repeat value: None.
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My worst fears came true with this film or, was I expecting too much? Or am I the only one who didnt like the film? Lets try and make sense of it.N... read more

My worst fears came true with this film or, was I expecting too much? Or am I the only one who didnt like the film? Lets try and make sense of it.

NOKJ is a film that starts of straight with the party and the murder of Jessica Lall but right in the beginning you feel something is wrong when you see actors hamming away to glory. The problem areas for me in the film are 1. Writing the screenplay and dialogues seemed like it was written by an amateur who just got hold of research and had a deadline to finish the screenplay. Some of the dialogues are so corny that you start doubting the spark director Rajkumar Gupta showed in his debut film Aamir. There is a scene in which Manu Sharmas parents go to Jessicas house to meet her parents. Instead of being a poignant moment it ended up looking humorous.

Which brings me to the 2nd weak point of the film Casting/Acting - except Myra who plays Jessica & the Cop and Vidya Balan this film can go down in history as a case of bad casting/acting . Vishwas nahi hota that the same casting director (Gautam Kishanchandani) who has casted what I call the text book for casting directors (Black Friday) has worked on this film. Did Rajkumar Gupta fail him as a director or did the actors fail the casting director? This will remain a mystery to me. You have to see the actor who plays Jessicas mother to understand how bad the smaller parts are cast in this film.

Rani Mukherjee is a misfit in the role of the reporter. Saying Fuck, bitch and some other abusive words doesnt make one look agro & tough and when Rani says those lines it looks like she is saying it to make an impact. It doesnt come out as her personality. Vidya Balan is calm & composed as Sabrina. She is the only sane voice in this insane film. NOKJ has some unintentional funny moments like in the scenes when you see Kalam from behind saying his lines with a hilarious hand movement or a scene which has a Manmohan Singh look alike or the mother of Manu Sharma saying the same line over and over again. My count was 4 times. Was Rajkumar making a black comedy? His first was copied from Cavite. His 2nd film is based on a True Story. He needs to make an original film to show his skills as a storyteller. Even, Amit Ts music couldnt save the narrative. It works well on its own as a soundtrack but within the film it is a pain.

Final few words: We all know who killed Jessica but Rajkumar Gupta killed a film called Jesscica. Imagine KRK making a film on Jessica. This is just a better version of that.

Rating: **

Ticket Meter: Worth 120/- buck ticket
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A week after watching the movie, I ventured out over the weekend (I live in Delhi). The thought of goons and crooks like Manu Sharma being around j... read more

A week after watching the movie, I ventured out over the weekend (I live in Delhi). The thought of goons and crooks like Manu Sharma being around just wouldn't leave my head and when I shared this with a friend of mine, the response I got was, "Dude he was out on bail and clubbing a few months ago!". My immediate reaction was "WWWHHHAAAAATTTTT?" Now I have no idea how this friend knew this or if this was even correct, but immediately I was on super alert throughout the night. A little paranoid, I know.

Needless to say, I was really affected by No One Killed Jessica.

I wasn't in India when the case was going on so my knowledge on the issue was pretty limited, but after watching the film, I couldn't sleep the whole night and read up on Wikipedia.

The movie is a good enough interpretation of what actually happened. I say good enough because somethings shown in the film were debatable (mainly Barkha Dutt getting it on with some guy). The film was gripping, made me cry, made me more aware of the ridiculous environment we live in and by then end of it made me want to really do something to change this ridiculous system that we all live in. It brought out the hidden (passionate but inactive) activist in me.

The actors all did a great job and even though Rani swore alot, I felt it was appropriate, despite the criticism she has received over it. Vidya was her usual sober self and as usual, awesome at it.

If you haven't already watched this one, I think you should go out and do it ASAP! You won't regret it!
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Promos which raised excitement, an album with heart pumping songs, two actresses who have proved their mettle over and again, and a director with a... read more

Promos which raised excitement, an album with heart pumping songs, two actresses who have proved their mettle over and again, and a director with a great debut film -- expectations from the first Bolly release of 2011 were galore. The question in contention is: does the film live up to it? Answer: Yes, for the most.

Touching a story that has been so much in the public eye is a Catch 22 situation. The advantage lies in the fact that there is natural curiosity surrounding the story. The flip side is the matter has been so talked about that almost knows the finer details. Hence, any mistake will call for serious trouble. More so, when you are mixing fact with fiction.

But second time director Rajkumar Gupta takes the challenge head on. He takes a case that had moved the entire nation and forced the judiciary to reconsider itself. The slain model Jessical Lall, murdered by a drunk Manu Sharma, and the entire episode regarding the legal rigmarole her family and the media had to go through for justice was one of the few instances besides war and cricket that brought the entire nation together.

The movie starts with a phone call which wakes up Sabrina Lall to inform that her sister has been shot. As she rushes into the hospital, a shocked Vikram Jai Singh (an unusual surname for a Bengali family) narrates how Manish Bhardwaj had shot her when she refused to serve him a drink. As the ambulance shifts Jessica to AIIMS, Sabrina realises that her sister is dead and she needs to take up the fight from there.

On the other hand, NDTV Correspondent Meera Gaity returns to Delhi after covering the infamous Indo-Pak Kargil war. She returns amidst loads of adulation. When she is offered to do a story on Jessica Lall's murder, she shuns it calling the same an open and shut case. When a murder happens in a party crowded by 300 high society bureaucrats and socialites, that's what is expected by everyone.

But seven years later, she is proved wrong. After years of struggle,the court leaves all the accused scot-free due to lack of evidence. Out of 300, only 7 claimed to present at the time of murder. And out of them, the prime witnesses who had seen the murder happen turn hostile. While the host of the party (also a witness) Mallika Sehgal blames her amnesia, Shankar claims he was on the roof, another extracts money from the Lalls but claims he was not in Delhi; the key witness Vikram Jaysingh who had testified his statement to police claim that he doesn't know Hindi and doesn't acknowledge his own word.

Now, Meera Gaity decides that it's time for her to take the case up. And she does so to amazing effect. Though the Tehelka contribution has also been given over to NDTV, but the film captures details of the media's uprising from NDTV's 'Justice for Jessica' to the 'Middle Finger Campaign' from Punjab with elan.

Everything works in favour of the film. From the songs (the song Dilli Dilli comes with the opening titles and sets the mood), thrilling sequences, the dialogues fill of cuss words and the fact that you can identify all the characters shown -- there is nothing that works against it. What might off are a few sequences in the latter part of the second half. As important as they might, a few scenes seem a bit dragged and hence takes the attention that you have been paying from the start. But the second half more than makes up for it.

Rani Mukherjee is first rate. After a long time, and thankfully outside Yashraj camp, she delivers a great performances as the journalist who uses slangs, smokes frequently, calls herself a bitch and leaves her boyfriend in the middle of sex asking him to fly solo. She nails it as the fashionable news-woman who does a shirshasan in her office and initiates the entire Justice for Jessica process, even convincing Sabrina to come back after the latter had lost all hope.

Vidya Balan is going through a purple patch. After the glamorous mother in Paa and delectable seductress in Ishqiya, this is Vidya's 3rd consecutive meaty and commendable performance. Alas, she won't be considered in the prime league unlike a Kareena who is delivering superhits in male-oriented movies. She is sublime, innocent and yet firm as the strong sister who shouts but doesn't cry as she had promised not to shed tears to her dead sister. In one word, she is brilliant.

Myra, who plays Jessica, keeps coming back in flashes and shines everytime she does so. She is gorgeous and exudes super strength of character.

The other supporting actors do justice to their respective roles. Special mention is deserved by Neil Bhoopalam (who plays Vikram Jai Singh) and Rajesh Sharma (who plays investigating officer NK) who also helps Meera in his own ways to bring proofs to prominence. Look out for two specific scenes: the sting operation on Vikram Jai Singh and his confession that he was asked to choose between a crore and a bullet; and a brief interrogation of Manish by NK.

The only glitch and complaint that you have from the director: why was NOKJ as stark as his first outing Aamir? Is it solely because the former deals with women?

But final word: Go and watch the film. It's a great for the Hindi Film Industry in 2011. I strongly believe that not all movies need to have a purpose, but those which do deserve an extra applause. view less

There are movies and there is NOKJ. Similarly there are film makers and then there is Raj Kumar Gupta. Honestly, this film, inspired from a headlin... read more

There are movies and there is NOKJ. Similarly there are film makers and then there is Raj Kumar Gupta. Honestly, this film, inspired from a headline by Times Of India, in 2006, did not interest me at all, initially. The thought being not one of non-interest in the narration of the Jessica tale, but due to the history of which true incidents are handled in Bollywood.

NOKJ is a part fact, part fictionised version of the murder of Jessica Lall, wherein the young model was killed at point blank range by the son of an influential politician under the influence of liquor. More than the murder, it was the verdict announced by the lower court in 2006, around 5 years after the incident, which created an unexpected furore amongst the people of India, the genteel, the glitterati and the masses.

When the son of a powerful minister, Pramod Bhardwaj (Shireesh Sharma), Manish Bhardwaj (Mohammed Zeeshan Ayub), kills a female bar tender cum celebrity model, Jessica Lall (Myra), at a high profile party in Delhi, with 300 guests around, it seemed like an open and shut case. It was just a matter of time before the accused would be punished for their wrong doing and justice would prevail. So thought everyone, including Sabrina Lall (Vidya Balan), the victims sister and also did Meera Gaity (Rani Mukerji), a high profile journalist, basking in the success of her Kargil war coverage. But when slowly, all but 7, guests agree to be witnesses in the case, the rest choosing to stay away from the mess, it starts showing the muck that surrounds the current manner in which things are running in our country. Of the 7, the hostile turnaround by the 2 eye witnesses, Shankar, the help and Vikram Jai Singh (Neel Bhopalan), an aspiring model turns the case in favour of the accused, eventually setting them free, after a prolonged trial of 5 years. It is here, when Meera reads the headlines, of Times of India, which sets her off on her next assignment, not for the sake of activism but for the plain and simple reason, that justice was denied. The dogged resilience of Sabrina & Meera, along with the nation, leads to the culmination of this episode in history.


NOKJ scores on many areas. But it falters also. Hence I would like to point out the flaws, even though too few, in this well thought of film.

The film desperately needs to be edited by around 10-15 minutes post interval. Aarti Bajajs editing is good, but could have done a better job of trimming the film, post interval. The entire manner in which Raj Kumar Gupta builds the tempo in the first half, tends to slow down at places post interval.

The music of the film by Amit Trivedi, comes across as jarring, especially pre-interval. Besides the 2 famous songs, Dilli, Aali Re, the songs in the film, even though in the background, come across as a hindrance. The only noteworthy song in the film, which strikes a chord with you, as a viewer, is the balladesque, Yeh Pal by Shilpa Rao. First rate, no doubt. Amit Trivedi does attempt an encore of sorts to DevD, but there is a certain gap here. He could have definitely done better with the background score. But in a manner one feels, maybe that is what the Director wanted, to show, or rather highlight the poignancy of the situation through the actors rather than supplemental background score!

Too small to point out, but when a film attempt at a biopic / true life incident is made, it is most crucial, that all the minor points are fine tuned. When the initial coverage is shown on NDTV post the Kargil war, the date on the left hand side shows the year as 1996 which is totally unacceptable by any standards as they had already shown the date of the incident as summer 1999. Even though fiction, you cannot go so wrong in your representation, especially when you are so thorough about the rest of the things. Likewise, the Sensex figures, as shown, on the right hand side of the screen, raises doubt (besides the rest of the news on the ticker).

Now, stupid flaws aside, at the end of the day, they have made the film, we havent. There are enough reasons for one to see the film.

The cinematography by Anay Goswamy is noteworthy. The presentation of the real Delhi is not realistic, IT IS REAL, be it the metro, the buses, the biscuit dipping folk or be it the pastry chomping by the elite in the 5 stars. Outfits by Sabyasachi make Vidya live the character of the non glamorous Sabrina and Rani look sexy and classy as Meera.

The performances by the supporting cast, relatively unknown to Bollywood, is natural. I repeat, NATURAL. Be it Shankar, who cannot see eye-to-eye with the prosecution lawyer during his interrogation, the corrupt, money scheming maa kasam bugger, or the defence and prosecution lawyers. It will take a few seconds on GOOGLE, to find out the people on whom those characters have been based and the mannerisms in which they have been portrayed, the little nuances that have been well picked by the Director, are commendable!

First to strike a connect with you, is the irritation, the anger and the eventual frustration of Rajesh Sharma, the investigating officer in this case. His performance is excellent. The cool, as-a-matter-of-fact manner in which he states having taken a bribe, not to assault the accused in custody is good, but what is brilliant is his interrogation of all the Page 3 types celebrities about the incident and his reaction to them.

Likewise, Yogendra Tikku, as the father, Sanjit Lall, is brilliant. Since most would recognize him as the retired father in a life insurance/mutual fund ad, this serious turnaround is rather unexpected. Especially the scene when the minister visits his residence and he out of politeness and for the lack of conversation, meekly asks chai?. I was not so impressed with the selection of Manu Sharma. If you notice his pictures throughout the years, he comes across as quite a likeable guy, which only enhances the gravity of his crime, that every boy next door cannot be trusted. Somehow, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayub, as Manish Bhardwaj, looks evil, menacing from the word go, which takes away the gullibility factor amongst the viewers that can such a boy do this?. When you see him, you feel, what do you expect from such a scumbag?.

Satyadeep Mishra, as Ranis boss is good. So is Neel Bhopalan as Vikram Jai Singh, (Shayan Munshi, in real life). The cry for help in the night club, the volte face in the courtroom and the eventual confession , commendable. Debutante Myra, as Jessica is very good.

That brings us to the 3 reasons what make NOKJ a must watch!

Raj Kumar Gupta: this erstwhile assistant to Anurag Kashyap, proves that Aamir was no fluke! Rajkumar Gupta, presents the bastis and the nuances of Delhi, in the same manner he had presented the bylanes of Bhindi Bazaar in Aamir. He has complete control over his subject, his content and that is what makes the film worthwhile. He has neither given in to sensationalism, nor has he given in to commercialism. The same sincerity with which he had made Aamir, is easily visible here and HOW!. Full marks to Gupta for not only venturing into a territory / script which could have easily backfired. It is not easy to make biopics/ true life incidents in Bollywood. Rajkumar Santoshi, failed to recreate the effect with his 2008 attempt in Halla Bol. Reason being, that unlike him, Gupta has stayed true to the spirit of the topic and that is where full credit should be given, where deserved! Not because we are not interested in seeing how the nation united in what can be termed as the first of its kind modern nationwide protest for a cause that bound people not by caste, reservation or politics. It bound people for the cause!

Rani Mukerji, making a comeback of sorts as the fiery, gusty, cuss throwing lead reporter is mind blowing. Her rendition of Barkha Dutt is first rate. Not only is she brilliant in the manner in which she goes about her profession, but also in her reactions to the nationwide movement. The realization of her arrogance, when what she considers as an open and shut case turns out to be a monumental disaster. Noteworthy is her prowess in which she sinks into the character. Unlike Kangana Ranaut, in Fashion, wherein her English seemed forced, somewhat. All the cuss words used by Rani, seem to flow naturally from her lips. Excellent performance and a true home coming. Wish, she now sticks to films with such meaningful roles rather than letting her dil going hadippa!

Finally, Vidya Balan, the relatively, non glamorous actress par excellence of our times, comes with what can be safely said, as her third award winning performance in a row. The range of emotions, the change of persona that Vidya shows in her portrayal of Sabrina, is what elevates her from the rest of her breed. The naivet in her belief in the witnesses, the expression of non-belief upon the hostile deposition of the key witness, the resignation to fate post her mothers death, the indifference to the nationwide protests and the eventual break down upon being vindicated! One word, BRILLIANT!

A must watch, not once but thrice, once for Vidya, second for Rani and third for good ol Dilli!

Rating : 8/ 10

Does it have The Y Factor: YES
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Based on the path breaking Jessica Lal murder case, No One Killed Jessica is a part factual, part fictional account of the murder, the elaborate co... read more

Based on the path breaking Jessica Lal murder case, No One Killed Jessica is a part factual, part fictional account of the murder, the elaborate cover up, and the subsequent media-driven reopening of the trial ultimately leading to Manu Sharma getting a life imprisonment.

Films based on real life incidents havent been many in Bollywood, and the good ones amongst them are even fewer. Shoot Out In Lokhandwaala is the last decent one that comes to my mind in this genre.

No One Killed Jessica can easily be divided into two parts, the fact and the fiction, the subtle and the over-the-top, the good and the not so good.

Director Rajkumar Gupta digs deep into the rich material available on the whole incident, and gets the setting almost perfect. His camera ruthlessly follows the labyrinthine lanes of Delhis power circles, as evidence was mangled, witnesses bought and verdicts pre-decided by the accused. Sabrinas (Jessicas sister) trials in trying to get at least a decent hearing for her sisters cold blooded murder and her helplessness is shown movingly. So is the public outrage following the media outrage that forced the powers to be to re-look the case.

The films music is almost an independent character in itself. The stupendous score, especially the fast paced Dilli Dilli and the shocking Aitebaar, capture the mood and essence of the plot and the film bang on. Amit Trivedi can take a bow.

Where the film falters though, is the mix of fiction. Factual liberties are too gaping, especially in a case which has literally lived and unfolded right in the middle of the public glare. Tehelka, which spearheaded the media expose, doesnt find a mention. In fact the entire role of the media in the case seems ham-handedly presented.

Vidya Balan, as Sabrina Lal, sizzles in an understated deglam role. She brings a sense of grit and determination to the role, and makes one empathize with the anguishh and will to fight the system come what may.

Rani Mukherjee on the contrast, is the exact opposite. Her character of a journalist is perpetually on a hyperbole, yet is a cleaver pivot to Vidyas subtle nature. In a way representing all those TV journalists who risked lives to bring the truth out in the open, she sometimes tries too hard. The biggest glitch being her constant cussing and in your face attitude that comes across as a tad too artificial , jarring the otherwise real feel of the film. It is a treat though to watch her in action after so long, and in a decent movie like this.

No One Killed Jessica is definitely a very good start to the new year. A brave film, it definitely has an impact. I just wish the film was grittier, and a bit more stark. Watch it, it definitely is worth every penny.
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