Kangana Ranaut is back this time in a female oriented film that is based on nautch girls stuck in red light districts of the country and their oppressed dreams. The film also marks the debut of Sahitya Akademi Award winner Vishwas Patil’s directorial debut and telly’s sweetheart Veer Shivaji actor Paras Arora.
Let’s see if this movie is worth a watch or not:
Our Rating: 2.5/5
Starring: Kangna Ranaut, Prakash Raj, Mahesh Manjrekar, Jayaprada, Paras Arora, Dalip Tahil, and Swati Chitnis
Directed by Vishwas Patil
Music: Uttam Singh tries to go the classical route for Rajjo. The first track Julmi Re Julmi sounds dated but still shows nautch girls and kothas perfectly. Kaise Milun Main Piya is a soft and soothing bhajan which is the highlight of the album. The other songs are dated and belong to some nineties film.
Story: Rajjo is a musical love story and Kangana Ranaut plays the eponymous heroine who performs in a tad too cheerful brothel that is presided by eunuch Begum (Mahesh Manjrekar). An adolescent Chandu (Paras Arora), who comes to lose his virginity ends up losing his heart and all he wants is to free Rajjo and let her live her dreams and ambitions.
Why you should go for Rajjo: Rajjo has its simplicity and senses in place only if the storyline was stronger. Kangana shines in her performance and shows how she is evolving into a better actor with each film. Mahesh Manjeraker as the eunuch head of the kotha does a great job, so does Jaya Pradha in her small role.
Why you should miss Rajjo: The stuck in the nineties feeling doesn’t go. Prakash Raj has been seen too many times in similar roles and needs to re-invent his act. Paras Arora as the young lover sure seems young and raw (in terms of acting). PS we got irritated by the overly red lips and overdressed look Kangana dons in the film.
Special mention: The films tries to show the social discrimination and dreams that prostitutes behind that dancing and sleeping for money facade really feel.
