Shabri review

Shabri
Directed by Lalit Marathe
Cast: Isha Koppikar, Raj Arjun, Zakir Hussain
Rating: ***

My friend Jane recently wrote the deservedly much-publicised book Mafia Queens of Mumbai with her boss Hussain Zaidi. I remember how she’d narrate heroic tales of the many women she met during the research of the book. You must read the book to know the kind of effort that went into its making. It’s gripping, well-written and real, all at the same time. The idea of women dons is exciting nonetheless. And this exactly what is explored in Shabri, a film with a female don protagonist.

I happened to meet Shabri’s director Lalit Marathe, who told me that the idea of a female don in a man’s world came to him by an anecdote narrated by his mentor Ram Gopal Verma. It goes like this: a gangster was once arrested, and with him was one woman. He pleaded that the woman should be let off as she didn’t have a clue about his wrongdoings. Turned out it was because of the woman that the man had, firstly, landed in the police net.

He said he did not find women per se interesting as gangsters. His debut film Shabri which has been ready for release for five years and finally opened to critical acclaim on August 26^th.

Khallas Girl Isha Koppikkar plays the lead. Poverty and the hunger for revenge of her brother’s death set Shabri on the path of gangster-giri. It’s all in her eyes, the anger, the love and the grief caused by her brother’s death in police custody.

As Shabri, Isha is extremely convincing. Her make-up, dialogue delivery and body language oozes confidence even though this is the first time she’s faces the camera in a de-glamourised avatar. Lalit Marathe knows his subject so well he manages to extract stellar performances from his cast. Raj Arjun as Murad is understated in a good way, naturally delivering a performance that stays with you, complicated and played with conviction. Raj has been associated with theatre and had a miniscule role in RGV’s Company. Zakir Hussain who plays a cop is introduced only in the second half, impressing the audience all the way to the end.

The story may be predictably familiar throughout, but it’s definitely hard-hitting and realistic. In a chat with the director, he admitted that references from his own life had been incorporated heavily in the film. The chawls, matka scenes, chases are all well-perceived and executed.

The only problem I had with the film was its background score. Somehow it didn’t seem to be in sync with what was happening on screen. It was too loud, too creepy or too serious. It sounded overdone just to make an impact and convey seriousness, but fails to make the cut.

Overall, it is a film made by a passionate man, wanting to tell his story. Like his mentor RGV, Lalit Marathe does resort to theatrics but it’s all good in the end.

Watch Shabri for its great performances!