Cast Vidya Balan, Rani Mukherjee, Myra Karn, Neil Bhoopalam, Shireesh Sharma, Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub
Director Rajkumar Gupta
Rating G
It was a defining moment in the Indian judicial system when an entire nation united to seek justice for the murder of a 23-year-old model after her high-profile killer bribed his way to freedom. And to re-enact such blatant exploitation of the law in Bollywood is no mean feat. But Rajkumar Gupta, though just a film old (Aamir), phenomenally accomplishes it with compassion and sensitivity, without feeding on the melodrama staple. Even creating a Bollywood milestone in the bargain.
I distinctly recall the profanity of this legal glitch that left India disillusioned, preposterously echoed in a newspaper headline: "No One Killed Jessica".
It later led to a revolution of sorts, forcing the Fourth Estate to rectify this brutal mockery of the judiciary. And 12 years hence, Gupta revisits the Jessica Lal murder, to honour a life that was taken away in a drunken rage.
While Gupta's screenplay and dialogue poignantly drills home the truth, his tale unapologetically portrays the appalling state of the Indian capital, where everybody is somebody", with Anay Goswami's striking cinematography.
Just like his maiden venture, Gupta nails it with exceptional casting. While Aamir presented a handful of talented newcomers, No One Killed Jessica allows Bollywood veterans Vidya Balan and Rani Mukherjee to take the lead. The supporting cast, however, remains refreshingly unknown. And that's what gives this film the edge.
Balan plays Sabrina with superlative brilliance. She's undoubtedly an actor par excellence. Unfortunately, Mukherjee falls short. She is unable to capture the essence of bad-mouthed, brash TV journalist Meera Gaity. Instead, she prances around in the most annoying manner, making journalists look unnecessarily stupid and arrogant. Even the supporting team outshines her affected performance. Of the lot, it's debutant Myra who bowls us over. She plays Jessica with panache. Even Rajesh Sharma brilliantly essays the vulnerability of the lone cop who wants to help Sabrina but can't restrain from taking a bribe.
Although the disclaimer, presented at the onset, claims that certain events are fictionalised, it's strange why Tehelka, which probed the case, didn't get its due.
Barring a fleeting mention, it's NDTV that walks away with the honours. Even creative liberty is used to change the names of everyone involved, with the exception of the Lals. Gupta even leaves the historical "fast-track" retrial untold, one that I'd imagine would've gone a long way in drawing the most befitting end. Despite these minor slips this a film you've got to endorse.
