Escaping self, answering one's own doubts and silencing one's conscience, seems like a tough task. But this is something the characters of Abhishek Chaubey's Sonchiriya seem to possess. The film with a rugged aesthetic revolves around aspects like redemption and salvation. Delivering superlative performances, Man Singh (Manoj Bajpayee) and his team led by Vakil (Ranvir Shorey) and Lakhna (Sushant Singh Rajput) take one through a journey unlike before, designed on an authentic and desi canvas by Chaubey.
The story oscillates between morality and principles and Chaubey's characters showcase both the hard and the soft sides of their lives, by committing sins and expressing what their minds speak when emotions strike a chord, leaving a question behind if one can trust someone two-faced. Chaubey's artistic vision will impress the viewers from the very first frame as he takes one amid the barren lands of Madhya Pradesh. His perspective of the good and bad sides of the protagonists is well balanced, where they live their lives in a dilemma, by dealing with ethos, emotions, and purpose.
The film may seem as though it revolves around the crimes committed by the dacoits, but there is more to the vision of the story. Besides the confrontations, Sonchiriya focuses on what the individual character deals with, as they face reality and focus on lives beyond being a dacoit. The story revolves around how the characters switch between being violent yet vulnerable when situations arise. Writers have ensured that the story goes through brutal lives in the smaller pockets of the country where the treatment of women, people from different castes, patriarchy, superstitions, etc. are given importance.
Also Read: Vishal Bharadwaj shares a message about Abhishek Chaubey’s Sonchiriya
While the story would impress the viewers, the credits for making Sonchiriya an interesting watch also goes to the cast. Manoj Bajpayee once again proves that he is an eminent performer, who despite a small role, makes a mark with his delivery. This will be one of the most important films in Sushant Singh Rajput's career, who strives hard and plays Lakhna to the best of his ability. Ranvir Shorey, on the other hand, complements the characters well. Bhumi Pednekar's role would make one emotional and it would make you believe in her again as an actress who can deliver any kind of role with ease. What makes the experience worthy is the effort put by the makers and the cast, to deliver the lines, consistently in the Bundelkhand dialect. One's mind may not register the lines initially but with time it would get easier to follow.
The cinematography of the film, which takes you to the dry lands of MP, will keep you hooked onto the screen. Music by Vishal Bhardwaj and rendition by Rekha Bhardwaj are soothing, and the duo succeeds in weaving a beautiful tune again. Seldom are such films made for the 70mm screen, and their access to the audience gets limited. Thanks to the dynamic era of OTT platforms which today have become the second screens, catering the demands of film buffs with evolving tastes. Just like Sonchiriya, that is now available to watch on ZEE5.
To sum it up, Sonchiriya is an interesting film for the audience who love the cinema of this type. The thriller written by Chaubey with intense and unpredictable moments will keep you intrigued.
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