Jalsa review: Vidya Balan and Shefali Shah hold up this crime thriller with their nuanced performances

Vidya Balan completes her hattrick in the digital space with Suresh Triveni’s Jalsa . The film is a far cry from the pair’s last collaboration Tumhari Sulu in which the actress served as an outing housewife turned radio jockey but their partnership is equally effective.

Jalsa is based on a hit and run case post which morality runs the show.

Vidya’s Maya Menon gets a powerful introduction as a journalist of a digital news publication. In the strong opening scene, she sits undeterred after a question she asks drives a high profile justice she’s interviewing uncomfortable and who threatens to walk out. Her determination in truth seeking and unfazed attitude reflect what makes her stand out as a professional but do the same rules apply to her life off the camera?

As her help, played by the seasoned Shefali Shah , Ruksana’s daughter Alia is hit by a speeding car on a stranded street, Maya tries to prevent a trainee at her company from chasing the story. Things take an even more surprising turn as the cops try to bury the case instead of looking for the culprit.

Shefali Shah’s Ruksana makes her own moves to assure that her daughter gets justice while Maya tries in her own way to help but her emotionally distraught state makes things at home worse. There are many times in the film where you feel the weight of the secrets that the two are keeping from each other in a scene and that’s when you feel the impact of the film.

Vidya and Shefali are the pillars that Jalsa stands on. Vidya’s powerful side to her emotionally distraught scenes, all scream perfection. While Vidya’s character gets to express herself in several moments, Shefali Shah’s restrained act as Ruksana is extraordinary. Her silence speaks volumes and makes for the best piece of acting that features in the film.

Sadly, no other characters are given much depth apart from these two and come and go as the script demands them to which feels like a letdown. Sadly Jalsa is no devoid of few such disappointing moments. The whole pent up tension in the film meets a rather non confrontational climax which feels underwhelming.

Jalsa despite its flaws is thought provoking. The film is not in your face, loud and yet it is as thrilling as it promises to be. Suresh Triveni who is dealing with two families here, one of Ruksana and one of Maya subtly outlines the disparities between classes.

The film may not be everything you expect it to be, but it is still a fine thriller, especially if you are not into loud and overtly dramatic films.