Irada

Disclosure: I am a huge fan of Naseeruddin Shah as well as Arshad Warsi.

Irada is a hard hitting movie that really gets the message home - the cost of "progress" is too high to pay.

Irada is a crisp eco-thriller that deals with a real issue - the corrupt nexus between politicians and a factory which leads to ground water contamination causing cancer in people.

This is a real issue that is precisely what is happening in Punjab, with Bhatinda the worst-hit. This cancer can even lead to DNA mutations.

Note: Irada exposes the cancer problem while Udta Punjab exposes the drugs issue, both in Punjab.

Although Irada is a sincerely made film, it could've been handled and presented in a much better manner.

HAPPY POINTS on IRADA

1 - The movie is presented in a "crispy" manner with little or no diversions.

2 - Great acting by the likes of Nasserudin Shah, Arshad Warsi and Divya Dutta.

3 - Background music and Cinematography is good. I really liked the opening sequence of the film with the thrilling music.

SAD POINTS on IRADA

1 - A few things are shown as if the Director Arpaana Singh wants us to read her mind, instead of showing them clearly.

In two scenes, something written in letters are shown. But the scenes does not last long enough for us to read the contents. It'd have been smarter had the characters read out the important content for the audience to hear.

No mention of the content of the book released by Parabjeet Walia (Nasseruddin Shah).

There is some talk of a secret chemical formula which does not make sense.

2 - The interaction between Arshad (as the NIA officer) and Sagarika (the journalist) is very odd and irritating. It is as if they both know each other and Arshad talks and reacts in a casual and filmsy manner. In one scene he is playing with a table tennis ball while Sagarika is explaining something. Totally irritating! 3 - So why did Arshad Warsi enact the fake murder? For what purpose? It seems only the Director knows it.

4 - A boring love song between Maya (Sagarika Ghatge) & Anirudh (Nikhil Pandey) whom we do not known enough to care about. When the characters do not have any depth such songs make no sense.

This is not a movie for the people who like commercial films with masala (a bit of everything in the movie and an ITEM NUMBER). Its a very nice movie made upon a serious issue that is poisoning the Indian Nation and also other countries in Asia and Africa.

The Govt of Asia/Africa should take a stand and more action to stop the issue shown in the movie.

Without spoiling the movie. The story is good. The first half could have been written better but its not bad. The film takes off in the second half and the ending is a bit rushed. Very enjoyable movie.

Performances of all lead actors are good. Nice to see Arshad in a good role after a long time. Naseer was at his magical best as well.

Must see...

I was attracted to Irada just by its synopsis. Make no mistake irada has a very impressive storyline, but the problem lies with its Bollywood style of masala filmmaking. Irada has some very good moments and does frequently fill in the audience's minds with curiosity. But the film as a whole doesn't impress much and is filled with lot of plot holes.

A very bad screenplay, riddled with plot holes spoils an excellent story. Wonderful performances from Arshad Warsi, Divya Dutta and Nasruddin Shah is not enough to keep Irada afloat. Good cinematography adds another feather in Irada's cap. Background score was very peculiar with fantastic & awful music equally mixed together.

Sometimes the movie looks like it has had multiple directors, as a result by which Irada has some excellent, average and poor scenes all mixed up together. The movie gains excellent momentum in certain scenes, only to fall apart in the next scene. Some Sentimental scenes were gripping and excellent. On the whole Irada is a very average one time watch movie. A movie which can be watched with family is strictly to be watched only when you have nothing else to watch. 4 stars only, 1 star for the storyline.

I really like this film. The story line has a very powerful message and should be watched by everyone. We need more movies like this in Bollywood. Excellent acting by everyone, Mr.Shah, Mr.Warsi, and even the girl who plays the daughter! It was nice to see Sagarika in the movie, she was brilliant!