Sherni - It's a jungle out there

 

Sherni

(Tigress)

2021, Hindi

Director: Amit Masurkar

Stars: Vidya Balan, Vijay Raaz, Neeraj Kabi, Brijendra Kala, Mukul Chadda, Sharat Saxena

Mohan's Measure ⭐⭐⭐

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

Sherni really impressed me, because it completely departs from the Hindi movie stereotype.  It is such an understated way of movie-making. you'll think you are watching a documentary. For such a movie to work requires some superb acting, and Ms. Balan owns it.  This role, like her other films, is female-centric.  But, she offers us this in a way which takes her to new heights.  There is no room for romance, glamor, not even much makeup.  She is a woman who must put aside her marriage to do what she does best, her job.  It is not by choice, but by moral conviction.  

Ms. Balan outshines all the rest of the cast in a very simple, but nonetheless gripping story.  She is the head of a group of forestry officers are out to capture a vicious tigress who is protecting her young cubs. They must do so before it kills more people, and definitely before someone kills it.

The latter is where the movie weakens.  Mr. Saxena comes along as a self-obsessed millionaire and tiger hunter, who insists that the only good animals are in his trophy collection. In some ways, the need for this feels unnecessary.  The scenes of this man make the movie feel like Bollywood again, and for that reason the movie does not get all the accolades it deserves.