Qala Movie Review by Anupama Chopra | Tripti Dimri, Babil Khan & Swastika Mukherjee 

Watch the interview with the cast of Qala: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CTlatR0dwio.html

After so many days such a good story has come from Bollywood..reminds a little of black swan and whiplash..and the album is something else entirely..I have been listening on loop for so many days..rubaiyaan and Shauq r my favourites..and the lyrics..so beautiful..Tripti Dimri is slowly turning to be the dark horse among the actresses..

Qala was so beautifully and cleverly written. How your mother labels you remains with you forever. Tripti Dimri was absolutely brilliant in Qala as well. I wonder why she doesn't get more movies, her acting prowess deserves to be shown on the silver screen. And omg the music is the best album of the year, for me! Phero Nah Najariya is my favourite in the album.

This movie made me think - what could she have done differently to not end up with mental health issues. The movie is one of the few in Bollywood that shows the life long impacts of bad parenting. People become adults but the scars unfortunately remain raw oblivious to the world, as bad parenting is not a crime.

It’s like watching poetry in motion. Just felt very proud that such films are bring made in India, definitely reminded me of Black Swan with subtle references like scratching her elbow, and being your worst nemesis. Dark but gorgeous

Swastika is so underrated. She really transforms into the the character she portrays. Wished she had some more screen time.

How easily you forgot to recognise sireesha bhagavatul for her melodious voice, shr did a fabulous job 💕

We, the audiences, want MORE & MORE & MORE & MORE of Tripti, Swastika & Anvita!! Can we?! Babil is pure & promising!

I think the female singer's name got left out in your elaborate description. Please consider editing the interview and adding her name along with some details. She deserves as much respect as other contributors to the film. As for the song preference, the 'sayaan ghode pe kyun sawaar' is the best overall. The voice behind the song made a lot of difference other than Tripti's marvelous expressions.

The movie, did it mean Hindi ‘Qala’ as in ‘Art’ or the Urdu ‘Qala’ meaning ‘Emptiness’…both are befitting I feel… 🙂

Qala is brilliant in many ways for sure !!! The visuals are spectacular!! The soundtrack is amazing !! The cast is mind blowing !! This is a much watch for sure !!

Spoiler alert: As a classical artist, the movie was very suffocating for me, yet very serene. This is because I could always feel the pressure and competition for performance and perfection. I too have a brother who is as good as me, but my parents always taught me that every artist has a unique style, because they have different personality, different temperament. So one should be competitive but with maturity. In times, where classical music taste is almost so rare to find in modern people, it's really hopeful to see someone bringing it again in mainstream. I really loved this slow burning movie. Also, i think the ending was a bit rushed. Nonetheless, the screenplay was superb.

What a movie Dude 😍😍 So Amazing. And Music Album is a Chef's Kiss🤌😍😍😍

Excellent review but you could have mentioned Sireesha bhagavatula too..the female singer..and voice of qala in her songs...it would have been a complete review then

In my thoughts whatever qala did. she did for her mom's attention it was never about music or gagan even the compromise she did it was just to go forward so her mom will like her achivement and love her but when she released the she is trapped in all of this chaos and her mom is still not understanding she takes her life.

Qala was sheer poetry...... Beautifully shot by Anvita....But the hero of the film is Amit Trivedi....... Qala's music is by far the best of 2022. Shauq and phero na najariya are just incredible....

Wow there is finally some hope for Indian cinema! Brilliant movie that tackles self worth, mental issues, the acting is superb, story, music, cinema magnificence! Sad

We need to praise the fact that such time period pieces are being made and we always compare to the west and never look into our own history. This was a brilliant attempt again. Such great visuals, alluring and deeply oriented sound. We have so much more to explore from our own history as a country. There is nothing more diverse than us! Big congratulations and thanks to the whole team! P.S. Movies can have a female majority cast and be spectacular!

Qala means to "tear off", which seems to be reflection of the storyline and not the titular character "Kala" (= Fine Art)

I didnt see parallel with black swan. Qala is way prettier than black swan. The concept is similar. But apparently, these two arent the only movie exploring this same concept. There are many other.

This will be my weekend treat. Fell in love with the music the first time I heard it. My friend was playing it n I had no idea what it was but was astounded by its beauty. Also, great review by Anupama. You are so good with your words. You give justice to the review itself.

Watched such a perfect movie after a long time. I wish Bollywood gave more chances to talented writers, directors, and actors.

Thanks for saving Bollywood in the end of the year! Tripti, Swastika, Babil - Whatta combination! 🔥🔥🔥🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 the music of the movie is a masterpiece no doubt! Also, the metaphor of mercury and grey coloured sarees was another level.

Will be making a video comparing "Qala" , "Blackswan" and "Whiplash". Post Feb

BABIL KHAN IS A GEM 💎 I MOST SAY I LOVED HIS PRESENCE ON THE SCREEN , when he is out of the frame u miss him u want to see more of him THE MOVIE TOO IS GOOD ❤ BUT BABIL KHAN IS A MASTER ACTOR

This movie is beautifully disturbing. Thanks Anushka Sharma for nurturing gems like Tripti Dimri. ❤

A beautiful film after a long time. It is an absolute visual delight. The actors are terrific especially the main characters. Babil Khan does not seem like a newcomer at all. Really waiting for his next.

Why is Kala spelled with a Q? Doesnt make sense but then so many other things about this ridiculous movie! Why is mom sometimes walking around with heavy himachali jewelry & the other times like movie star.. why are there no ppl in towns where Anvita Dutt's characters live? ( Same with bulbul). Its just so much pseudo artistic vibe without any substance, its tiring. This director seems to be the Sanjay Leela Bansali of pseudo- artistic movies. Tripti Dimri needs more diverse scripts than these one tone movies, she is fabulous.

Just watched the movie it's a good movie👍🏻. But really want a good , happy movie with indian classical music concept , everything coming out involving indian classical is related to soo much sadness & negativity it's starting to bother me 🙏.

She is bluntly talk about the movie and give you so much spoiler.This is not a review of the movie it's called spoiler...

I think the film did not go about the cast divide behind Jagan trying to survive in the brutal class divide. Even though he maybe a male singer he still will not have reached the same heights compared to people from the higher class of the society that’s why he said “ my voice is everything to me” why he said that is because he knows that with all the wealth and social status that Quala has he will always be the nightingale caged by the higher class in the society for their amusement and money making. You must be too naive to think that Quala mother was just taking care of him just because he sings beautiful but she selflessly wants to claim the the prestige as great singer like here forefathers through Jagan that’s why she took him under her care. She wants to use Jagan for her prestige while didn’t realise that Quala is always have been looking for recognition from her mother. Infact Jagan was trapped in between these two wicked ladies. He would have been better of singing at the temples or streets at least he would have been survived. Not only Quala was jealous but she never hesitate to poison Jagan with her mercury. So what does it say about Quala she is in denial that Jagan was a good singer than her and second deep in her heart she is also consider him that a person of a lower class in society cannot have a beautiful voice and moreover takes all the lime light. Now while the rest of us think that Quala is innocent or victim of situation I would say that she was not truly innocent either she mimicked what he mother ways of seduction and did the same for her opportunity. She did not see Jagan as a another equal who was struggling in the society to be someone, honoured and respected and yet she choose to steal that from him. So I won’t pity for Quala. This was simply a privileged women who knew what she was doing and premeditated Jagan’s death in a way. She was equally heartless like her mother.

The female singer, Sireesha Bhagwatula, has such an exquisite voice. Loved her since Indian Idol!

My personal opinion. It was excellent but not extraordinary due to overwhelming use of English. I do understand that affluent people in India’s 30’s/40’s spoke English but it wasn’t even British English.

Irony at its best…the review of the film (which highlights male domination in society), does not talk about the beautiful voice of female playback singer 😢.

Copywriter, Advertising career, Lyricist, Dialogue writer, Full Scriptwriting to now a Full fledged Writer-DIRECTOR (Bulbul, Qala)...ANVITA DUTT Guptan has come a long, hard way...What an ambitious trajectory and what imagination...Kudos 🙌🏻💫💯

I am spellbound by the film and your review has compelled me to transcribe the entire subtitle. Anumpama, I truly admire your impeccable selection of words in each of your movie reviews. I hope that people who wish to learn English through subtitles find this transcript to be useful. First with Bulbul, and now with Color," writer-director Anvitaa Dutt continues to carve her own sub-genre. Perhaps we can label it the "feminist fantastical." These films are portraits of women who take extreme measures in extreme circumstances, and Anvitaa frames these tales of damaged, broken souls with exquisite visual design. Both Bulbul and Kala are period films, which gives her the license to embellish reality with a flourish that rivals the baroque of Sanjalila Bansali. With the help of DOP Siddharth Diwan and production designer Minal Agarwal, Anvitaa creates signature worlds filled with beauty and horror, one enhancing the other. The tragedy and triumph of Anvitaa's women plays out with exquisite aesthetics. Kala is the story of a fragile and fractured playback singer that she's named Kala. Art is the first indication of the great expectations she showed us. That name is given to her by her mother, Urmila, who is herself a celebrated but thwarted artist. Urmila pushes Kala to excel with methods say distic enough to match JK Simmons's Fletcher in Whiplash. Early in the film, there's this scene of piercing sadness. During one of their Riyaz sessions, Kala makes a mistake, and Urmila's punishment is so simple, and yet it's so horrifying that you almost admire its blunt efficacy. To live in this sprawling Gothic home in wintry Himachal Pradesh, these scenes were shot in Gulmarg. The desolate, icy landscape reflects their relationship, frozen into this toxic mix of resentment, hurt, desperation, and loneliness. Into this fraught atmosphere arrives Jagan and often with a voice so glorious that he seems to be communing with God. Jagan's talent, uninhibited and ferocious, turns the screws further, and Kala embarks on a journey from which there is no return. The film is set in the 1930s and 40s, and the action alternates between Kala's home in Himachal and the film industry in Calcutta. Urmila is insistent on mentoring Jagan's ascent in show business, but as it turns out, it is Kala who becomes the star. The film opens with her winning a coveted award, but the flashbulbs and applause can't fill the abyss within Kala. In fact, Anvitaa uses the flashing cameras to punctuate Kala's rising dread. The blinding lights accentuate her anguish. The mother-daughter relationship is the film's spine, but Anvitaa layers in much, much more. For starters, this is a film invested in addressing mental health, especially that of women. "Is self-aware enough to ask for help," she speaks of "the shore in our head, the fear in our heart," she says. But the doctor simply gaslights her, saying, "Ladies is the disciple." Kala also asks, "What is the price that an artist is willing to pay in the pursuit of perfection?" Urmila sacrifices her humanity. Kala even more. The film industry is brutal, especially for women. Most of the men in the narrative are opportunistic, condescending, or just rapacious. It's the women who provide comfort, from Kala's female secretary to this female music composer. The film highlights the double standards and casual disdain with which the men in power treat women. The really awful thing is that some of these scenes ostensibly taking place over 80 years ago reflect a reality that persists even today. "National award-winning lyricist modern Grover plays a lyricist named Majuru, a hack tip to the legendary Majro Sultanpuri. Majuru is an artist who recognizes Gala's genius but like her, he's stunted by the mercenary movie business. When he writes a beautiful couplet, he's told - 'kuch assan sa likho logo ko samjah aaye'. Anvitaa is a celebrated lyricist herself and I'm sure that she's experienced some version of this scene. Kala works like an amber, huge fever dream, but at times the storytelling seems to get sidelined by the many check boxes that the story is trying to take. The messaging, impressionistic lensing, and symbolic visual choices become two-pointed and the spell gets broken. The moth and snow are recurring motifs, but mostly Anvitaa succeeds in weaving a gripping tale of societal restriction, sexism, pathological states, the solitude of being an artist, and the many ways in which mothers and daughters can scar each other. Film has an overarching melancholy and an emotional momentum that helps to anchor it, as do the performances. Once again after Bulbul, Tripti Dimri takes center stage. This character is a high wire act deeply ravaged but also strangely powered by her own neurosis. Tripti gives Kala a childlike guilelessness. There is a scene in the film in which Kala is imitating her mother and attempting to trade sexual favors for career growth. Her seduction is so naive and so awkward that it's heartbreaking. Tripti is marvelous as a woman on the verge of a breakdown and so much more. So, is Swastika Mukherjee as Urmila. What's fascinating is that Urmila isn't a straight-up monster, and Swastika allow us to see what perhaps caused her heart to freeze over. She felt to me like a distant relative of Dimple Kapadia's Nina Walia in Luck By Chance. You remember that film in which another character describes Nina as a crocodile in chiffon. Urmila belongs to that same pantheon of fictional female artists who've been so hardened by their circumstances that they know no other way to operate. The third in this triangle is Babil Khan as Jagan. Babil arrives with the legacy of his legendary father Irfan and I think Kala is a fine choice for the young actor. It allows him to reveal his talent without having to burden himself with carrying the entire film. Babil has a natural screen presence and solid potential. Amit Trivedi's gorgeous soundtrack is also a lead player in the film. The six songs have been written by a plethora of award-winning lyricists. Kausar Munir, Varun, Swanand Kirkire, Amitabh Bhattacharya and Anvitaa herself. Singer Shahis Mallya’s soaring voice adds to the magic. My favorite is ' Shauq ' written by Varun. The mokra goes like this बिखरने का मुझको शौक़ है बड़ा समेटेगा मुझको तू बता ज़रा 'It's exquisite'. Varun also gets one of the best moments in color. At one point, as Majiru, he says to Kala about a sexual predator. "आज उसकी जैसों की कोई सजा नहीं है सब देख कर अनदेखा कर देते हैं, पर दौर बदलेगा दौर की यह पुरानी आदत है". That line, like the film, seamlessly blends poetry, pain, and politics. You can watch Kala on Netflix. What did you guys think of Kala? Tell me in the comments below and also tell me what was your favorite song from this lovely soundtrack. And if you want to hear more from the artists and the director of color, do check out our interview."

Breathtaking, sad, Shocking but not and marvelous acting by the female lead. AGAIN...this banner gave us another reason that NETFLIX is worth watching. Congratulations to the entire TEAM!!

So disappointed. As beautifully as it was shot, as potentially poignant and novel as it could have been, given the hitherto unexplored toxic mother-daughter dynamic, the movie overall just did not come together. I found Tripti trying too hard, very performative. Wanted more of Swastika, instead got a floundering Tripti. Found the music tepid as well. Baabil Khan made an impression though.

Qala is an art movie. There is so much to be absorbed and digested that one view is not enough. There are hidden references to the gossip(of the yore) that tickle you about the chutzpah of Anvitaa. Like Qala asking for 1 re more than the male singer (rumored to have happened between Kishore and a former great singer). Then Sumant Kumar rhymes with Hemant Kumar and is in Calcutta (old spelling). Reference to Jagan (indirect gossip of master Madan who died of mercury poisoning around 1933, and was a young prodigy like Jagan), reference of Rai Sahab and his wife (titillatingly close to H rai and Devika)... and many more. So, the movie is tongue-in-cheek at several points. At the same time, it's a visual treat where choreographed sequences have a very theatre-stage-like feel and are delightfully merged with technology. Dimri is a talented actress who has the physical resemblance of Priyanka Chopra (of 7 Khoon Maaf) in profile and Ayesha Sharma in lip molding (sis of Neha Sharma). Her role is to be in agony almost all the time and is never seen as happy, which is a dampener. Would have loved at least a few scenes of pure glee from a naive artist when she succeeds. But the Kingmaker of this movie is Amit Trivedi whose compositions match Girish Karnad's Sur Sangam in class and vitality. The movie needs to be seen 2-3 times to absorb each character's agony while impishly making guesses about who's who when anecdotes appear on the screen. I also see it as an encore to Ranbeer's Rockstar.

I tried hard to sympathize with the character of Qala.... But I couldn't. 🙈 I was more like- Karma is a bitch! But then it's more complex than that. Babil has my heart though.

Boring movie. Everything is forced and exaggerated. Far far far better to rewatch Disciple or most amazing Bandish Bandits

SIREESHA? Ironic that film is about a female singer and you forgot her?

I love when you pay attention to good movies thanks 🏅🏅🏅🌺🌺🌺🌺

Isn't the Hindi film industry supposed to be based in Mumbai? Genuinely asking Or is it a different case back then?

Please don't give so many spoilers or atleast give a spoiler alert.

Excellent movie excellent cast Please mention female singer Ghode pe kyu sawar hai She deserves due credit

A must watch. Entire cast is fantastic.Tripti is such a stunner!

Swastika playing a character of overt narcissist and Tripti as a covert narcissist! This film is a perfect example of how a kid is transformed into a narcissist. The director must have closely seen or felt the same thing. Otherwise it's nearly impossible to create such a character! Each and every expression of Qala.. her inner thought process is so real! Hats off to the director 🙏 to bring out and portray such mental disorder so smoothly!

This is what Blonde wished wished for.

Tripti is awesome. Story is beautiful. All the songs are mesmerizing. Did not like Babil's acting much... Climax is dark... It reminds of that scene when Babil's charac faints or something and Tripti's charac holds him and they are in the same maze shape bg. Its same shape as that game from which she takes the mercury. Her mother is also a bit disturbed... She sees Babil's charac as her son that she lost and she hates Tripti's charac for their death... I think her mother knows that it was her who killed him somehow... The scenes which show the predator casually asking for sexual favours as if nothing has happened is spine chilling. Surely such things really happened then and maybe even happen today. Varun Grover's presence is soothing though... He brings some hope... Very beautiful movie... Just wish Marathi actresses get protagonist roles instead of just side character...

Strangely no mention of Shireesha Bhagavatula!

I only have one issue with this fantastic film. Kala, art, is with a K. Qala with a Q is a Qila, a castle. I was a bit confused about the use of Q.

it was sooo beautiful. I know it had a deep meaning and was about mental health, societal issues and what not but at the same time it was sooo beautiful to watch

So strange, movie in a different language and review in entirely different language. I guess angrez chale gaye, brown angrez chor gaye 😂

Nice review, quite unlike the rubbish written by the Indian Express reviewer who probably dint even see the movie as he/she writes that Jagan was murdered when actually it was a suicide

Loved this movie 😍😍😍😍

I have seen Last Night...'Its an awesome Film more over the presentation and Performances by Tripti Dimri & Swastika Mukherjee......

Loved the movie, one of the best I have seen this year.

Yes massive disappointment this film..gawd

Tripti is so underrated she deserves more ❤️

Hi ma'am! I was blown away by the experience of this masterpiece Qala, equally as I am with your way of presenting this plot through the medium of words. The way this story has been meticulously knitted deeply with emotions, values, music, characters, dialogues, set-up, and majorly the truth of the life, is completely praise worthy. As one of the cast members said in an interview, this is not a movie, it's a feeling that one has to experience and witness. Indeed, it is! Thanks for bringing the review to us! Your admirer N

Lovely review . Shauq is my fav too

I am glad that the movies are now showing how dysfunctional mother-daughter relationships can be. Even though the bond is strong and can never break, it's not always a good thing. Cruel mothers exist.

I haven’t seen a movie like this in ages , after Milkha singh this movie made through my heart it deserves national award

Two films merit a category of their own?

These stories need more attention

Swastika is brilliant......najariya is the kohinoor

Mam plz give a rating to your review....so it will be more understandable 😀💖

QALA IS MASTERPIECE CINEMA!! HUGE RESPECT TO ITS CAST & CREW!

Loved the movie

I can't help drawing similarities between Qala & Black Swan. If you know, you know. 🤡

very predictable story and climax, same old ghisa pita topic about gender equality and casting couch with pinch of added depression! But Performance, cinematography and direction is good!!!

Just watched it. It will stay with me.

This Film ❤️

loved the movie

All the songs are killing and matchless ❤️ can't choose. I can simply try to make a list 1• Phero na nazariya 2• Shauq/Nirbhau Nirvair/Ghodey pe sawar 3• Udd jayega/Rubaaiyan

Hindi movies ko. English main review karne ka kya matlab 😁

Wow!! Just watched this!! Mesmerising film!!! Wish the actor would have got more accolades and recognition!!

very very very nice movie

Swastika Mukherjee❤

Fantastic and haunting movie ... just like Bulbul! Your review ... on point!

Tripti dimri interview please. She s spectacular for someone who is just a few films old. Pls do an interview with her anupama mam

What review! Intriguing movie!

Qala - an insecure, mentality disturbed, emotionally damaged sister who kills her innocent brother This movie strongly advocates the scenario where Grey shade of killer is sympathized .... Totally contradictory to whiplash .... Its like making a movie on kasaab and portraying his childhood suffering due to which he chose to be a terrorist .... The only difference is that Qala killed 1 innocent person and kasaab killed many innocent lives. This movie is a pure art of showcasing a killer under the lights of sympathy ... uffff However, nicely picturised, beautiful cinematography and brilliant actors unfortunately script is about compulsion behind all the wrong doings by Qala

Very bad movie with no story at all.

Stopped watching the movie the moment Minhunter's "Silk Drape" started playing in the background.

All the actors were decent. The music was above average. The movie was unnecessarily stretched. Looks like the maker has SLB hangover. Too pretentious at times.

I cried, went into depression, listened to phero na najariya like 50 times, drank daily for a week before coming out of it. I love the music, am obsessed with it still now, had left practicing started back just to sing ud jayega and nirbhau nirbhai. Beautiful album ... Beautiful movie. ❤

The men in qala are opportunists, i totally agree......but isn't it wrong on the part of women as well providing sexual favour in order to climb up in career

Narrative of film is very weak. Movies can be cut around 20 mins. and her mother's character is very much confusing. We cant relate to her. I dont knw what does she want in her life.track of the character is very messy but Anupama will not highlight this abt the qala.sheis the most biased critics in our industry she doesn't encourage pure cinema. She only gives positive reviews to these big budgets films. She is again karan johar of the critics.. angrej types.

It was too dark, depressing and at times pretentious to become an art film I had to watch 5 episodes of FRIENDS to detox myself after watching it

Qala 😍😍😍😍🥰

I was bored by the film. It made no sense at all. Why was there no one else n that house or neighbourhood and the mother's cruelty for decades didn't line up with her behaviour at the end. The mental health decline was too sudden to ring true. Very disappointed because I loved Bulbul and was looking forward to this one.

grt

The film has everything except soul.

This reviews literally gave justice to a film that I just couldn't sit through after an hour⏳.

Just an amazing movie. Your review hit all the notes that Qala evoked. Beauty and horror are the hallmarks of this movie and Anvita's hand is genius!! A visual and heartbreaking treat!

Surprised no mention of the female playback singer in the review. Is it because she is an unknown name? That should be more of a reason for specifically mentioning her, she has done such brilliant work.

Justified review madam ji , lekin hindi audience ke liye bhi record kar dijiye

it looked like remake of the movie "katyar kaljat ghusli"