Jalsa - Out Damned Spot

Jalsa

2022, Hindi

Director - Suresh Triveni

Stars - Vidya Balan, Shefali Shah, Rohini Hattangadi, Manav Kaul

Mohan's Measure ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I am not sure why they chose this title for this film. Jalsa is a dark drama about the struggle between human emotion and moral obligation, and how human beings must sacrifice the ego to harmonize both.  

Ms. Balan and Ms. Shah are phenomenal in their respective roles, at times stoic, at times despondent, at times all at once. Their emotions virtually jump off the screen, hitting us hard, making us ask what we would do in the situation. Would we put aside personal honor and perhaps even close friendship to do what is right? Perhaps, if it meant our children?

Offering a brilliant performance is first time actor Surya Kasibhatla, a young man with cerebral palsa who offers wit and sanity to the two women in his life, providing calmness and light at moments of darkness.

The questions abound, corruption surrounds. But answers are found in admitting our common humanity and learning to forgive.