Ajji

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!

The story of Ajji is an average classic revenge drama, but with some brilliant & authentic elements of film making within it. The movie touches on the delicate subject of child rape and that too from a under privileged family. What makes Ajji to work in its favour is its ability to transfer the pain and suffering of the protagonist into the minds of the audiences. Though the entire premise is heavily cliched, and utterly unbelievable at times, its ability to arose certain curiosity in audiences mind drives the awe factor in Ajji.

Aided with some brilliant camerawork, which sets a dark tone to the movie, Ajji transcends us to a place, where only a few of us would venture. Director Devashish Makhija work is top class to get the horrors of the story into our head, his portrayal of the aftermath of the child rape and the police visit to the victim's home is exceptionally accurate. Screenplay could have been a little better and more believable. Top class acting by Abishek Banerjee as the antagonist will sent shivers down our spine. Yes such people do exist. Ably supported by Smitha Tambe, most of the supporting cast's acting is good. Editing could have been a little better considering the 105 minute length of the movie.

I completely agree that, Ajji has its set of flaws, especially the revenge part and the protagonist's ability to pull of such a thing. Taking law onto ourselves maybe right for people like you and me but what about the poor and the helpless? Can they afford such privileges? When they can hardly afford 3 square meals. This movie is made for audiences who don't have those luxuries in the corrupt world of ours. Though disturbing in many places, Ajji is a must watch for movie buffs to understand certain emotions & reactions in acting.

It is a very dark movie, as dark as the truth of condition of women and kids in this country, as how every girl child and women is a potential victim in this country.

How big sin it is to be a poor. This movie will shake your every inch with the kind of detailing it does with every scene, making your feel ashamed and angry as an Indian and over the society in which we live.

A 10 year lovely kid is raped and thrown in junkyard. For police it becomes a case to extort money from the influential person while victims are further victimized and terrorized. It is conveyed to them that thinking about living with dignity is foolish for any poor otherwise even most basic things like earnings and bread better too would be difficult.

A truth in a nation where criminals rule and where rape has become a sort cultural activity of Indians. A nation where law enforcement system has become devoid of law and just enforcement system, works on payroll of criminals..this movie compells u to think that you need to go for justice on your own way.

It is your responsibility to ensure anyway that you don't accept such crimes just silently and dead. This movie is grim dark and may distrub you with the kind of detailing it has done of everything...including the psyche of a pervert rapist, a poor father who always feels sorry for failing for his family though poverty is not his mistake and its misery is not his fault..he looses his hand in machine..still he feels sorry that he would compell his family to more hardship.

Such scenes bleed your heart. It even strips naked of the fact that how migrants are easy victims of so called son of soils who do crime without any hitch just coz they are locals. Every scene is sharp and well detailed in short.

Performances: Such movies are performance and content oriented always. Sushma Deshpande has done a terrific job as a revengeful grandma. Sadia is also good. Sudhir Pandey as butcher in short role impresses a lot. The villain's performance is that u start hating him so much that u wish that you could chop him into pieces as if left he could keep on victimizing. I don't know much of the rest but they are equally superb.

Finally, it is a movie of rape that will make you hate it beyond limits...it is needed to be watched by everyone so that even those who r still sleeping in slumber should get a boiling blood and zero tolerance about the menace which has become epidemic for India and where every single girl child is under danger in this perverted society. It is just pity that such movies don't find even screens and distributors and criminals like Salman Khan and his useless movies still enthrall this sleeping society in a dark hall!

A sad and disgusting film, but so real, that it gives one repulsion, an unprecedented disgust, so much that bothers and hurts the mud in one film, rape of a little girl, the performance of the police officer responsible for the investigation, disgusting, he wanting see the victim's private parts, cornering the whole family, the rapist with impunity, the film was of a raw and masterful perfection, everything raw, strong, hurts, hurts, and the end, it doesn't wash the soul, but softens the anger... Masterful ...

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.)