Irada (2017) User Reviews

Hard hitting

[rohasnagpal · 7/10 · 21 April 2019]

Disclosure: I am a huge fan of Naseeruddin Shah as well as Arshad Warsi.

Irada is a hard hitting movie that really gets the message home - the cost of "progress" is too high to pay.

Irada and Udta Punjab expose serious health problems in Punjab

[inforaza · 6/10 · 4 May 2017]

Irada is a crisp eco-thriller that deals with a real issue - the corrupt nexus between politicians and a factory which leads to ground water contamination causing cancer in people.

This is a real issue that is precisely what is happening in Punjab, with Bhatinda the worst-hit. This cancer can even lead to DNA mutations.

Note: Irada exposes the cancer problem while Udta Punjab exposes the drugs issue, both in Punjab.

Although Irada is a sincerely made film, it could've been handled and presented in a much better manner.

HAPPY POINTS on IRADA

1 - The movie is presented in a "crispy" manner with little or no diversions.

2 - Great acting by the likes of Nasserudin Shah, Arshad Warsi and Divya Dutta.

3 - Background music and Cinematography is good. I really liked the opening sequence of the film with the thrilling music.

SAD POINTS on IRADA

1 - A few things are shown as if the Director Arpaana Singh wants us to read her mind, instead of showing them clearly.

In two scenes, something written in letters are shown. But the scenes does not last long enough for us to read the contents. It'd have been smarter had the characters read out the important content for the audience to hear.

No mention of the content of the book released by Parabjeet Walia (Nasseruddin Shah).

There is some talk of a secret chemical formula which does not make sense.

2 - The interaction between Arshad (as the NIA officer) and Sagarika (the journalist) is very odd and irritating. It is as if they both know each other and Arshad talks and reacts in a casual and filmsy manner. In one scene he is playing with a table tennis ball while Sagarika is explaining something. Totally irritating! 3 - So why did Arshad Warsi enact the fake murder? For what purpose? It seems only the Director knows it.

4 - A boring love song between Maya (Sagarika Ghatge) & Anirudh (Nikhil Pandey) whom we do not known enough to care about. When the characters do not have any depth such songs make no sense.

A Well-Made, Well-Acted Film With A Message!

[namashi_1 · 6/10 · 27 April 2017]

'Irada' is a pleasant surprise. This one's A Well-Made, Well-Acted Film With A Message! Director Aparnaa Singh delivers an absorbing Eco-Thriller, that is embellished with stellar performances.

'Irada' Synopsis: A mysterious bomb blast in a business tycoon's factory prompts the state CM to hire an NIA officer. He meets an ex-army man seeking revenge for his dead daughter and a journalist demanding justice for her slain boyfriend. Nothing is what it seems.

'Irada' is about the chemical mafia that lays in Punjab, which leads its natives to get cancer. 'irada' is a film with a voice & talks about how the environment needs to be clean & how the people in power are destroying the commoners for the sake of money & power. Aparnaa deserves credit for delivering an interesting film, with a message that actually shocks you.

Having said that, 'Irada' isn't flawless. The film is frustrating slow in its first-hour, but fortunately, the second-hour is power-packed. I wish the first-hour, particularly the first 30- minutes were tighter. But considering the second-hour is so strong, you're almost willing to look away its flaws!

Aparnaa & Anushka Rajan's Writing is initially slow, but gathers tremendous momentum soon-after & doesn't let you move. Aparnaa's Direction is excellent. Cinematography & Editing are well-done.

'Irada' aces as far as the performances are concerned. Arshad Warsi is a delight to watch here. As the NIA officer, with a wicked sense of humor, the criminally underrated Warsi takes center stage, even though he enters the scene pretty late. He's fabulous! Divya Dutta is in top-form after a long time. The actress is simply superb as the sharp-tongued, calculative, conniving CM. Sagarika Ghatge as the journo in search for justice, is very sincere in her part. Sharad Kelkar scores as the wicked business. Rajesh Sharma is fantastic as Kelkar's right-hand, the un-trust worthy manager of his company. Naseeruddin Shah is natural as the grieving father, while the actress who plays Nasser's daughter, is fantastic & leaves a solid impression.

On the whole, 'Irada' comes out of nowhere & hits you. Give it a shot.

Movie with a message

[digihex · 6/10 · 21 January 2020]

Great movie with a serious message. However, not much entertainment as such. Weaving the message along with entertainment would have made the movie more attractive. Still, great movie.

Excellent story, Bad Screenplay!!

[madhukar30 · 5/10 · 22 August 2020]

I was attracted to Irada just by its synopsis. Make no mistake irada has a very impressive storyline, but the problem lies with its Bollywood style of masala filmmaking. Irada has some very good moments and does frequently fill in the audience's minds with curiosity. But the film as a whole doesn't impress much and is filled with lot of plot holes.

A very bad screenplay, riddled with plot holes spoils an excellent story. Wonderful performances from Arshad Warsi, Divya Dutta and Nasruddin Shah is not enough to keep Irada afloat. Good cinematography adds another feather in Irada's cap. Background score was very peculiar with fantastic & awful music equally mixed together.

Sometimes the movie looks like it has had multiple directors, as a result by which Irada has some excellent, average and poor scenes all mixed up together. The movie gains excellent momentum in certain scenes, only to fall apart in the next scene. Some Sentimental scenes were gripping and excellent. On the whole Irada is a very average one time watch movie. A movie which can be watched with family is strictly to be watched only when you have nothing else to watch. 4 stars only, 1 star for the storyline.

Excellent film. Something different from the usual MASALA Bollywood films

[kkjcid · 9/10 · 27 April 2017]

This is not a movie for the people who like commercial films with masala (a bit of everything in the movie and an ITEM NUMBER). Its a very nice movie made upon a serious issue that is poisoning the Indian Nation and also other countries in Asia and Africa.

The Govt of Asia/Africa should take a stand and more action to stop the issue shown in the movie.

Without spoiling the movie. The story is good. The first half could have been written better but its not bad. The film takes off in the second half and the ending is a bit rushed. Very enjoyable movie.

Performances of all lead actors are good. Nice to see Arshad in a good role after a long time. Naseer was at his magical best as well.

Must see...

Poor Direction and Screenplay

[rakesh-das-raku · 4/10 · 13 September 2020]

Pros : Good acting, Good story Cons : Poor direction, poor screenplay, poor dubbing After watching the trailer, I thought that it will be as good as Erin Brokovich which has the same theme but then I decided to watch the entire movie on you-tube. But my irritation started when the dialogues were indecipherable while the background music were loud which made it very difficult for me understand the movie by constantly adjusting the volume of the TV. Anyways, after watching for 30 mins around, I immediately realised that it is one of those movie who are considered good in terms of content but poor in technical aspects. Therefore, overall disappointed. Talking about actors, Mr. Shah is as ususal good in any role assigned ot him.. no doubt about him. Mr. Sharad is my dream daddy as listening just to his voice gives me intense orgasm. Ms. Divya is typical in a dominating role which suits her but weird.

Really Good Movie

[ashdeval · 10/10 · 10 May 2017]

I really like this film. The story line has a very powerful message and should be watched by everyone. We need more movies like this in Bollywood. Excellent acting by everyone, Mr.Shah, Mr.Warsi, and even the girl who plays the daughter! It was nice to see Sagarika in the movie, she was brilliant!

Great plot - terrible execution

[asardeshpande · 4/10 · 19 March 2021]

This could have been a such a good drama thriller... but the direction and screenplay is so damn poor, it leaves a bad taste. Actors are top grade, dialogues are also good but there is zero character build up and the scenes have no continuity whatsoever..u just don't care what's going on. In short it's good story but terrible story telling.. And what are songs doing in such a movie?

Bad direction and screenplay ruined a good subject

[tahska · 5/10 · 1 May 2021]

I had so much hope from this movie. But the bad direction and bad screenplay just ruined the movie. The dialogs were meaningless. There was no character development.

Overall a forgetful watch.

Movie with an important message & environmental concer.

[titonsahashuvo · 8/10 · 11 May 2019]

This type of movie is not for all. That's why may be the rating is 6.3! It's little bit slow. But the real life problem, a great message, acting & the ending seems to be good. The thing that attracts me most is the environmental & scientific issues that has been taken up here. Obviously, I've learnt something & that's playing in my thoughts! A must watch for art film lovers

A poor story with a decent direction that tried to grab attention through the actors

[ankitcom · 5/10 · 15 December 2017]

A poor story with a decent direction that tried to grab attention through the actors. Naseeruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi were good in their roles.

Storyline Rating: 2

Acting Rating: 3 Naseeruddin Shah: 3 Arshad Warsi: 3 Divya Dutta: 2 Sharad Kelkar: 2 Sagarika Ghatge: 3 Rajesh Sharma: 3

Direction Rating: 2

Music Rating: 2

Cinematography: 2

Editing: 2

10 Years Old,Single Malt but Perfect for Overall Message...

[trueimdb · 8/10 · 24 April 2017]

This movie deals with some profound aspects of life which We are missing blindly. The writer tried to be very convincing to get the roots of a story but the direction is not that much of dedication but It's OK for the Overall Message. Sometimes it attracts attention towards many provocative yet Realistic things in Indian Politics and Administration. Must learn from such small aspects of it. The confidence level of actors are not that much good, It could have been improved but a Great comeback from Arshad and Nice acting from Divya Datta (She really Nailed it, at least in a couple of scenes). Once again Usefulness of Army and Administration can be used to clean up the mess as movie urges through its vivid aspects. Silence of The Himalaya tells many unspoken Words that can be Heard by Only those who Actually Watched it from Right Angle :)

An Eye Opener !

[vishwajeetgudadhe · 8/10 · 24 April 2019]

After Udta Punjab, here comes another eye opener. Those who aren't aware about Punjab's Cancer Train & Reverse Boring, must see this. Though cinematically clichéd, one must acknowledge the efforts of a debutant director. Hope she keeps on coming out with good Cinema in future.

One of the best movie I watched in recent times

[er_jodha22 · 10/10 · 13 June 2021]

Awesome story, hard hitting and well executed. Could have been better but it doesn't matter director was able to pass on the message. Relief from usual Bollywood masala and refreshing. Recommended.

We are dieing

[kaleemrafi-36448 · 10/10 · 30 August 2020]

This topic true as a child born he start dieing day by day slowly due to pollution every where pollution air ground. Why? For what for whom one day life will end why people do things like they will be here forever.

One of the most underrated movie of bollywood.

[rohanrajssm · 10/10 · 25 October 2021]

One of the best thriller movie.

Loved the concept of movie and the message conveyed through it. Movies like this are really the original quality of bollywood rest other so called superstar movies are just show-off.

A must watch on eco terrorism

[ajinderg · 10/10 · 20 February 2021]

Not all movies have to be about entertainment. This movie was probably written by somebody in know about the cancer belt of Punjab. Divya Dutta's acting reminded me of a certain Akali woman leader; and also there's resemblance of certain work by Bhatinda r**in**y. Extremely impressive screenplay, direction. Stunning acting by Naseeruddin Shah, arshad warsi and divya dutta.