Ajji

The Screenplay is perfect. You are anticipating the ultimate revenge. The practice is shown beautifully. An Old woman plans and executes a perfect revenge. However there were a lot of aspects to this gritting tale. The film makes you cringe on the actions of the characters and leaves you with an impact . It is not for the fainthearted and there are moments that will make your stomach churn and you will really need a lot of patience to watch certain scenes. Well executed.

The unconventionality of having a grandmother as the protagonist about crime and revenge is what makes Devashish Makhija's cold thriller a tantalizing watch. Ajji is an ambitious story of an old woman who takes the law into her own hands – cliché in the town – and asks us to wonder about the consequences. You tend to incline to the positive because you want her to win and so do the colorful characters who help her, but what we don't see are the obvious superhero powers that she possesses which you cannot blame on the power of will or circumstances. Sexual molestation of minors is definitely a grave topic and one that must be discussed openly but that doesn't mean you celebrate the idea of self-righteousness especially when related to the matters of justice. Ajji is definitely an engaging watch with clever camera work, mirror placements, wonderful performances, and above all, a magically complementing sunless setting. Everything works except for the enthusiastic plot for a film that is evidently the wheels of this crime drama. An accident is inevitable. TN.

(As part of the Young Film Critics Lab 2017 at the 19th Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival.)

This film perfectly showed us what should be done to a rapist. It is not for the faint hearted as it's very much disturbing. Devashish Makhija & Cinematographer Jishnu Bhattacharjee have done a splendid job.

Performances of all are simply superb. Even the little girl (Sharvani Suryavanshi) acted so brilliantly. Abhishek Banerjee gave one of his career best performance, Vikas Kumar is always underappreciated and of course Sushma Deshpande will blow your mind away.

DON'T MISS THIS ONE.

Ajji is among the most realistic and superlative films of independent cinema in 2017. A gritty and authentic take on revenge genre, it has the merit to stand out on its own virtues. An extremely important film with an essential social theme, this movie deserves to be seen by everyone.

PROS.

1. The screenplay of the film is impressive. Although not much things are happening on the screen, yet the film manages to stay intense from the beginning till the very end.

2. Performances of the cast are exquisitely amazing especially that of ajji. She should have won National award for her portrayal of this role. She submerges herself so much in the role that it becomes indistinguishable from reality. Rest of the film is also filled with powerhouse performances. If nothing else, this film can only be watched due to its performances. Easily on of the best acted film of the year...

3.Direction is marvellous. Devashish Makhija manages to capture the raw emotion and intensity of the slums of Mumbai. His use of long shots are commendable, as they let the character to breathe and make a lasting appearance. He also manages to show the various trials and tribulations faced by the people of slum. The atmosphere created by him is incredibly intense and extremely authentic.

4. Cinematography of the film is of top class. It manages to immerse you into the surrounding and helps to intensify the mood of the film. The film is easily among the most genuine portrayal of slum life in recent times.

5. Powerful themes Revenge and justice are the main themes of the film. But other than that it also shades light on various issues like Rape culture, Biased judicial system, struggle between dignity and survival, Impotency of law, Flawed political system, Injustice faced by North Indians in Mumbai, Moral corruption etc...

6. The mannequin scene This scene features during the middle of the film and easily one of the most nightmarish and trippiest scene of all time. This scene acts as an allegory for rape. It is a vile and cringe inducing scenes which also can be interpreted as the metaphor for feminine atrocity. The frequent use of mobile phone's camera during this scene escalates its frightening effect.

7.Background score is minimal yet helps to sharpen the atmosphere of the film. Sometimes the music even conveys what's going inside the mind of the characters. Here music in not just an add-on but is used as an storytelling device, and the payoff is brilliant.

CONS.

1. Slow Pace The film is too slow in its pace and even at just 105 minutes runtime feels a bit long.

2. There are some scenes that defies logic. Like how ajji manages to sneak out every night without getting noticed by anyone? Mother of the victim is shown in no grief even after such a huge happening.

So, all in all an incredibly well made film with passion and love for cinema. It's like a breath of fresh air. If you enjoy commercial cinema then there is nothing much here for you but if you are a true cinema lover do watch it. It's a must watch for everyone!

Watch it for the maturity of the Indian cinema, watch it if you want to watch a movie made in India by the someone like Quentin Jerome Tarantino caliber, watch it if you want to taste the real caliber of the Indian Cinema, Watch it if you thick Indian cinema is behind Hollywood by a long margin...... but pls watch it.... more than worth it.