Bollywood Movie ‘Talvar’ was appreciated by the audience for its gritty portrayal of India’s flawed legal system, reveals a very impatient media & exposes our judgmental society, where most patriarchal societies can only treat the woman as a beti (daughter) or a whore, not as a person in her own right. Directed by Meghna Gulzar, written & produced by Vishal Bhardwaj, the movie’s creative team had also worked on Haider.
Rajesh and Nupur Talwar, parents of Aarushi, who were the main accused, have been acquitted of Aarushi-Hemraj murder by Allahabad High Court. Many, including Bollywood celebrities, are happy with the judgement.
Meghna Gulzar, who made a film on this double murder case, titled, Talvar (2015), said. “I do not know if this is the final verdict in the case or not, but it is definitely the correct verdict. No one can be kept in jail on murder charges without adequate evidence against them.”
Justice delayed is NOT justice denied. Overwhelmed and deeply relieved upon hearing the news of the acquittal. #AarushiVerdict #Talwars
— Vishal Bhardwaj (@VishalBhardwaj) October 12, 2017
I’m actually fascinated as to how various investigating agencies botched up the #AarushiMurder case.
Surely all d evidence was in d house?— atul kasbekar (@atulkasbekar) October 12, 2017
Its not just the 4 years. It’s the accusation of killing your child. How does one live that down? The real killer/s must be found
— kunal kohli (@kunalkohli) October 12, 2017
There are very few murder cases that grip and flummox the entire country. But the double murder case of 14 year old teenager Aarushi Talwar and the family domestic help, Hemraj Banjade, 45 years not only had the entire country confused but also saw many twists and turns in the course of its investigation.
Which is why there was a heightened interest in this movie that was based on the Aarushi murder case. The movie is gripping and well researched and aptly depicts the lapse in investigation by the relevant investigating authorities.
The movie has lead actors Konkona Sen Sharma, Neeraj Kabi and Irrfan Khan playing key roles of doctors Nutan Tandon, Ramesh Tandon and officer Ashwin Kumar respectively. The crime thriller revolves around the incident when the doctor couple find their daughter mysteriously murdered in her bedroom one morning with her throat slit followed by the discovery of their domestic help, Khempal, who was also mysteriously found dead in the terrace of the house the following day.
The uniqueness of the movie is that it’s shown from several point of view rather than laying the blame on one party. Credit goes to script writer Vishal Bhardwaj who reveals details through the film, that had never surfaced earlier.
Although the movie starts on a slow pace, the innumerable twists and turns keep the audiences engaged. The movie also exposes the macabre nature of the media, politicians and the news hungry audience which led to many distorted facts leading to a miscarriage of justice.
The film also highlights the methods of police investigations, many of which were questionable, such as the narco tests that were conducted, the loop holes in the system and the conclusion of police teams that eventually led to the parents being declared the suspects in the case.
On watching the movie, one is forced to evaluate the outdatedness of our judicial system, and the laws which no longer apply. Some of these laws have been followed since the British rule which highlights the urgent need for change and upgradation in the system.
Irrfan Khan who plays an investigative officer, even met and interacted with the real officer to understand the nuances of the case. Talvar is a well-researched movie and the team didn’t mind re-shooting certain scenes when new information came to light.
The movie opened to rave reviews in the Toronto Film Festival and is creating waves everywhere. The Indian audience is appreciating this new age cinema with as much gusto as a regular masala flick, with many wondering what would happen to them if they were to get caught in our legal system.
