B.A. Pass

First of all for sensitive people this is not a good movie to watch because at the first half and hour of this movie it seems like a erotic thriller but as the movie progresses it's becomes clear that this movie will not have a happy ending. It's admirable how well the director has captured the elements of human emotions in this movie.where the director have shown how a person can decay emotionally and physically when that person is pressured to a breaking point. sexual exploitation,violence,betrayal and the never ending struggle to find money is shown through a gradual process masterfully.when it comes to acting a special note should be made where the main actor has acted in a way which has captured the hearts and minds of the audience.where as the movie progresses even the audience can feel the frustrations that main protagonist goes through and that is just good acting. Overall this is not the most easiest movie to watch and you will not have a good time watching this movie but if a person wants a proper idea how hard life can be this is the movie to watch.

Keeping in mind the way, erotic & sexual content is both served and seen in a very restricted manner in our Indian Cinema, B.A. PASS certainly needs to be rated as another bold step forward by our Indian film-makers as well as the Censors, without any arguments. Yet, contrary to the above statement, here the best thing about the movie is that its makers and director Ajay Bahl have not made this project just to en-cash all its sensual scenes at the box office like a B-C grade venture. But defying the set parameters of the trade, they do have a thoughtful meaning put into its entire erotic content and also have a fine story to convey to their mature audiences in a truly appreciable manner.

Based on a story "The Railway Aunty" by Mohan Sikka from the book 'Delhi Noir', B.A. PASS firstly continues with the passion of showing the city of Delhi in a bad light (as repeatedly in films nowadays)and then uses the plot of an unemployed youth and his dilemmas with a novel insight. It revolves around the story of a young boy, who has to stay in Delhi with his aunt (after his parents die) and has also got two young sisters to take care of (staying at a hostel. Now during this stay, along with continuing his studies, he meets a middle aged, good looking lady who teaches him some new lessons of life which bring in sex, lust, greed and crime into his innocent persona turning him into an entirely different person heading towards a tragic end.

The film begins calmly and then goes on to deliver some of the boldest scenes ever seen in a mainstream (A Grade) Hindi film promoted decently. However, the fact remains that despite of being much bolder and adventurous in its execution (than what the promos suggested), the erotic scenes in the film are exceptionally shot with a sensitive approach without getting into some extreme skin show or cheap vulgarity. Plus its these sensual scenes only which very insightfully depict the lonely, empty & scary life lived by the richer sections of the society. So till interval it does turn out to be an explosive film with a realistic subject which probably stresses more on serving the hidden instincts of the viewers quite skillfully.

Post intermission, as the focus shifts towards the other problems of life faced by the young man (not boy), the pace drops and it more becomes an intense film moving towards a shocking climax which might be depressing for many. But all stories do not have a happy ending and here we have the one which daringly talks about those dark and ugly, avoidable phases of life which do not give many choices to a person caught in their unbreakable trap.

The second half gives more attention to its story progression and less to its erotic scenes which might disappoint the viewers coming in just for them. But that's exactly where B.A. PASS excels and gains a fine distinction of being a sensitive film made on an engrossing tale. Its concluding moments make you feel sorry for its main protagonist and then you also have that anger towards everyone who betrayed him along the path, posing as true friends.

With a less than 2 hours duration, it has a taut screenplay with no interfering sub-plots of love angles thrown in just for the sake of it. The characterization is brilliant with a special mention of Deepti Naval featuring in only two scenes, who rightly portrays the state of a depressed, lonely but loyal lady, superbly. Also was extremely relaxed to see the dialogues in Punjabi written & spoken as they should have been, without molding the words into Hindi.

Regarding the performances, it really needs guts to accept and then also live this kind of negative as well as lustful character on screen with such conviction. And for this Shilpa Shukla surely deserves an applause from one & all. She simply can be called the backbone of the film getting complete support from Shadab who also perfectly plays the part of an innocent boy with conviction. Dibyendu Bhattacharya acts fine as the chess playing friend and the actress playing Shadab's bua (aunt) is equally good.

The musical department delivers a soothing track "Shab" and an adequate background score to enhance its various sequences. Cinematography (by the director himself) captures all those erotic scenes with a subtle elegance and adds to its dark feel throughout. Yet on the story part, I couldn't digest the angle of sisters continuously calling for help and the boy regularly ignoring them in a strange manner. Perhaps that is one of the reasons why the film is not able to connect with the viewer emotionally as desired.

Secondly, I strongly oppose to this wrong presentation of DELHI, in many of the recent Hindi films, probably beginning from DEV-D. By just showing the neon-lit lanes of Paharganj area, you cannot represent Delhi as the city of lust, crime and dubious activities like this.

So ending on that note, B.A. PASS is a dark, shocking and brutal tale of an unemployed youth caught in the trap of sexy lady. Though marketed as an erotic film, it's an honest attempt with a soul partially reminding you of many worth watching classics of World Cinema. Its few shortcomings don't allow me to rate it as a perfect film but this is indeed the next brave step taken by Hindi Cinema in the recent years undoubtedly. Having said that, one does need to have the vision to look beyond its sensuous stuff and reach the real essence of its story as told by the writer. Because in absence of that this might remain just another stimulating morning show B-C grade film with many erotic scenes for most of the viewers.

No pun intended and not that many colors to be honest. The rest is sort of "if you know, you know". But that aside, let me say up front that I am quite surprised by how the movie tackles certain things. Do not expect nudity in this, but just the fact that it does engage in erotic situation alone ... I did not expect that at all.

I mean a movie that has to put a disclaimer (while the movie is running on the bottom of the screen), that smoking is bad for your health ... well you know you can't really do everything or rather show everything. Although violence does not seem to be an issue here either. Not that there is too much of it. But certain scenes may offend you ... depending on your thresshold and how sensitive you are of course. The ending is a bit of shocker ... and may make you give this a point more than I did.

Ajay Bahl's debut film starts off with brilliantly, and creates an intriguing atmosphere, but ends unsatisfactorily. It's a coming-of-age tale of innocence lost and conscience compromised. What starts off as playful seduction, Mrs. Robinson/ Hanna Schmitz style, spirals into a chain of prostitution, lies and betrayal. Even with an interesting story and well-shot scenes, the screenplay and the lead's (Shadab Kamal) acting failed to properly show the sense of urgency and desperation. Though the film's approach towards themes like poverty struggles, empty marriages, sexual urges and escort systems is commendable, it fails to explore them properly and deeply. Though the movie is well-made, and quite bold (for Hindi Cinema), when the whole ordeal is over, you're left with an odd aftertaste, not sure of what to think.

Though Shadab Kamal looked cute and innocent enough for his role, his acting was little single-pitched. Shilpa Shukla was mesmerizing as the seductress and lady pimp.

Good effort.

The film is chopped, crisped, short and feasible. This one is an erotic tale (will not leave you high and dry, no matter even if your 'hunger' is sated on the grandiose stage). Its sexually charging A-rated flick and hence we'll be digging into this with the same mood in the review.

B.A Pass has its moments of the harsh truth and reality that's still subliminal in India's 'culture' and ethically followed under the four walls of a closed room. Though in order to tackle a personal pseudo- fiction or psyche-trauma and similarly revealing the social scale 'dhanda' (business) of prostitution, it made too much altogether to cover up in the runtime of 95 minutes. The 'camel of the desert' (director) tried to do justice to everything he wanted to show or unravel but then it was so much so, that despite of the débutant director's honest and struggling effort..things were left untold, mummed, and eloquent (negatively) due to its not at all good editing, lacking story and the runtime it had. The messages that the director or writer wanted to showcase were outstanding and deserve a flawless 10/10 but the movie is not judged upon the ideas, it depends on the execution of those ideas on paper and then on the screen..and that's where it lacks partially.

Its based on a short story 'Railway Aunty' and has been adopted nicely by Ritesh Shah (story and screenplay) but lacks to transform it into a larger picture. The film tells about how easy it is to get laid in New Delhi (kidding..a Lil' bit)..it tells about the vicious circle of eroticism and prostitution that's easy to get into because of its luring attractions and ease of income but hard to get out due to its worse than a nightmare consequences. (remember the piece of cheese in the rat-trap?!). It explains the need of the money and utilitarian approach of attaining the most of it by a consumerist society, deals with morality, emotions and the true colors of life in a realistic fashion. It also reveals the truth about the ongoing and prosperous rackets in even the urban (highly accessible law & order) cities of the 'modern' India (pun intended). Then it even deals with the sexual frustrations after marriage, helpless individuals seeking 'social services' in form of prostitutes or gigolos, how the innocent lives are ruined due to this NEVER GONNA END vulgarity, and also it traps that how your life reacts onto the choices that you make.

Direction is good and honest. Screenplay and story should have been worked upon. Editing disappointed me due to its lack of power to let the viewers shove their heads in the theme of the movie or to feel its continuity. The cinematography was brilliant and justified the script with its dark look. The camera work was nice and again justifying and locations were raw (as required). There is no song in the movie (I think) but the theme during the climax is haunting and gets you going along with the situation. The performances are great and the lady (Shilpa Shukla) deserves a standing ovation for her magnificent portrayal and marvelous acting, the way she carried her role..with so much ease, it made me a fan of her work, and well not to forget her physique in the movie. She looked smoking hot all the while with her colorful bras, dark lipstick and natural yet flamboyant moaning.

I'd rate this lot to be told but less delivered cult erotica as 7.5/10.