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"Panga" | Kangana and cast shine in feel-good flick

 24 Jan 2020 3:20 PM GMT  |  IANS

Kangana and cast shine in feel-good flick

Panga is the sort of film you easily fall in love with. It has a stellar cast in fine form, is directed by a filmmaker who knows her business of storytelling only too well, and it manages to deliver a topical comment without getting too preachy about it. It is an entertaining film that effortlessly reaches out to the wider audience, and at the same time doesn’t lose connect with basic cinematic aesthetics.

In short, Panga ticks all the boxes a good Bollywood mainstream film should.

Co-writer and director Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari’s third film underlines what we had realised after Nil Battey Sannata and ace Bareilly Ki Barfi. Just as her past efforts, Tiwari once again takes to a smalltown milieu to draw a plot and characters. We are introduced to Jaya Nigam (Kangana Ranaut), who blissfully balances a doting husband and son with her job as a railway ticket clerk.

Nitesh Tiwari’s screenplay establishes Jaya’s extraordinary past with a few quick scenes at the very outset.

Jaya may believe she is happy with her current life but her passion for kabaddi still lurks subconsciously somewhere within. The fact is conveyed in a brilliantly-written scene right at the start where, deep in sleep, she literally throws her husband (Jassi Gill) off the bed with a barrage of kicks.

Twist in Jaya’s tale comes when her little boy discovers she had given up her dream to raise him.

Ashwiny has successfully served up an inspirational package. Watching Jaya’s gradual comeback take shape despite the hurdles in the way, you understand this film is trying to work the same way a motivational pep might be doing, to anyone chasing a dream that might seem impossible.

What comes across as a downer of sorts is the film’s lack of genuine panga moments. Despite the realism that sustains its plot and characters, Panga could have done with a few strong conflict points. Essentially, what you get is feel-good portrait of struggle. Everything and everybody in this film seems so nice at all times. Jaya is nice, so are her husband, kid and mom. Her best friend is nice and so are the coaches, selectors, even rival players within the team.

The lack of ample grey shades also deprives the script of desired depth. As it is, films centred on sports can be predictable in the way they unfold the struggle, rise and ultimate glory of the sportsperson protagonist. Panga is no exception. 

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