Mardaani (2014) User Reviews

Bollywood "heroes" can learn from the heroines

[erisedwitch45 · 7/10 · 23 August 2014]

Nowadays when the so-called superstars of bollywood (Salman, Akshay, SRK etc) make such mindless & nonsensical movies in the name of leave-your- brains-at-home comedies (like Kick & Ready & Dabang & Entertainment & what not), Mardaani is a refreshing change.

I am not saying that it's a gem or the best movie out there but it is good. It has a good (although not many twists or turns) story, powerful acting by Rani and the supporting cast, no out-of-context songs and very nice ending.

I see a trend that Bollywood heroines are trying to come up with good movies like Kangana in Queen, Revolver Rani; Priyanka in Mary Kom, Fashion; Vidya in Kahani, No one killed Jessica etc where as the 40+ year old "heroes" are still stuck in the 90s; churning out stupid movies where the girl is mainly for songs. I don't have a problem with those kind of movies too if they are decent; which many aren't. I love a good comedy or action movie as much as I enjoy a serious one. But the movies made by the male "superstars" are not even funny or entertaining; though surprisingly, those movies are in the 200 crore etc club.

I hope we as an audience start to appreciate some diversity that movies like Mardaani portray.

Rani Mukherjee is mind blowing with her punches and fiery dialogues

[ketgup83 · 8/10 · 23 August 2014]

It is heartening and encouraging to see women centric films doing well in Bollywood - Kahaani , English Vinglish, Queen and now Mardaani adding extra charm to the genre.

Mardaani tells the true story of drug racket and child trafficking which is very much existing in current India. An orphan goes missing from NGO doubting Crime Branch officer Shivani Shivaji Roy and investigate the case which involves a cat-mouse game between Shivani and the mafia kingpin.

From the director of Parineeta , Pradeep Sarkar is in a great form. After strings of flops , he comes back with a bang. Hats off to him for creating niche drama with well-written screenplay that will keep glued on to the screen till the end. Cinematography is outstanding. Background score gels well with the mood of the film. Editing adds crispiness to the pace. Mardaani belongs to queen of hearts - Rani Mukherjee. The supremely talented actress will prove the naysayers that she could come back and deliver a solid performance. She is mind blowing with her punches and fiery dialogues. Tahir Raj Bhasin will surprise you as mafia kingpin.

Mardaani has everything going in its favor - Brilliant direction, Strong performances. Highly recommended. Excellent 4/5

www.facebook.com/FilmyChowk

Mardaani Review

[ahwaan_padhee · 7/10 · 25 August 2014]

With a sudden spate of cop-oriented films in Bollywood, the larger- than-life heroism has occupied our mind space ominously. We saw the maverick soldier Akshay Kumar combating the sleeper cells in Holiday and the tough cop Ajay Devgan decimating the corrupt politicians in Singham Returns. Having said that, the Pradeep Sarkar-directed Yash raj films' latest outing "Mardaani" is a departure from the archetypal escapist commercialism. The protagonist here is a lady - Shivani Shivaji Roy(Rani Mukherjee), a no-nonsense crime branch police officer wages a relentless fight to bust a human trafficking racket in Mumbai.

Giving one of the most low-key and unassuming introduction to the lady hero where her team tracks down a small-time criminal , the plot ticks off when a 12-year old street girl,almost like her family member, goes missing from an orphanage which in turn insinuates the operating of a deadly sex racket. Shivani pursues this case strongly as she senses a strong nexus behind this crime scene of terrifying magnitude until she comes in telephonic contact with the mastermind. What ensues is a cat and mouse game to hunt down the criminal and things take an ugly turn when it is taken to the personal level.

A taut thriller in all respects, Mardaani works because of the slick direction. The treatment stays faithful to the dark and grim subject. I admit that some scenes involving the facets of flesh trade appear voyeuristic due to which the film is certified with 'A' rating, but Sarkar redeems them with some engaging conversations between the cop and her nemesis. Equally entertaining is the banter between Shivani and her team and the liberal use of expletives which lends the film an authentic touch. The tussle here is interestingly cerebral for most parts , thanks to the clever writing (Gopi Guthram) until the climactic showdown which is quite formulaic.

Sarkar treads on a different trajectory altogether. With 2 hours running time devoid of naach-gaana , it is quite unusual for a YRF flick. But what makes Mardani consistently watchable is the spirited performances of the entire star-cast. Surely, its crafted as a come-back vehicle for Rani, and the actress does complete justice in terms of depicting strength and emotional heft. She is quite in ease with the lingo, the uniform and the attitude. Tahir Bhasin impresses as the ruthless kingpin of the sex racket, adding a despicable menace to his character. He is not a regular Bollywood baddie, but a college dropout who is tech-savvy, addicted to video game and smart with Bluetooth. Rani's on screen husband played by Jissu Sengupta is almost side-tracked except in one gut- wrenching sequence where he miserably becomes a pawn in the rivalry of the cop and antagonist.

I enjoyed each and every minute of Mardaani. It's not your regular run- off-the-mill stuff and more importantly pushes the envelope of serious cinema without making you feel bored.

Engaging Drama Conveys An Important Message. ♦ 74%

[nairtejas · 7/10 · 25 August 2014]

Mardaani is a good film released at the right moment.

I say that because of the high proportion of news about rape and sexual assault and attacks on women in the national newspapers in India. Pradeep Sarkar succeeds in retelling the acclaimed Hollywood story (Liam Neeson's Taken) of how an officer single-handedly taken on the traders of flesh. He charms the audience by filling all holes that would've crept up had it been a poorly researched film, like all other recent Bollywood films are.

Here in, we have inspector Shivani (Rani Mukherji) who uses her manliness to search and kill the young boy, a flesh trade kingpin who kidnapped and sold her adopted child into overseas sex rackets. There are chiefly two villains in the film, both of which are good. But I am awestruck by nobody Tahir Bhasin's brilliant performance as the vindictive boss who speaks like he was a born criminal. His air, his diction, his portrayal - all upped my ante in cinema-watching experience. Come climax, this same villain goes through a paradigm shift and seems to have lost all his qualities, which drives the predictability ahead.

But I am not complaining because the 2 hours were never boring. Plus, since it conveys a message that women should stand up with a touch of power for their rights hits the right chord with the large number of women that were present in the theater hall.

Coming to the cuss language, I didn't mind it because it was a necessary component. Mukherji is good, as well. The supporting cast is fine. The title track is surely to hit the charts.

BOTTOM LINE: One of the very few watchable films in 2014 Bollywood, Mardaani is an unexpected treat. If you have 2 hours to spare this weekend, go watch it and come home entertained.

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES (You should!)

A Powerful Film

[mxpayne75 · 10/10 · 22 August 2014]

Mardaani is a movie that despite an unimaginative plot and predictable narrative engrosses you in its fabric. Rani Mukerji is pitch perfect in the role of a super-cop that is rightly hued, far from the floss and swagger of Chulbul Pandey and Singham. She is real, gritty and every bit brilliant. Though the film's climax loses itself in melodrama, this is a film that has its heart in the right place and tells a pertinent story at a time when it must be heard.

Rani Mukerji with no make up, stern face maintains her strong demeanor. The actress is non dramatic on purpose and that did the trick for me. She is far from the pomp and show of masala cop films and that subtlety blows your mind. I am ecstatic that the lady has returned in a role that does justice to her caliber.

Tahir Bhasin is a revelation and quite interestingly lives up to Rani's stature. The chase between him and Rani is built brilliantly mostly because of his conviction in rendering such brilliance to his character. His diction and twang both blend in well drawing one's attention even further.

Mardaani - Rani pulls it perfectly

[SivakumarBalachandran · 7/10 · 22 August 2014]

Bollywood has always space to celebrate womanhood through their films. Mardaani is on that league. After watching the trailer recently I decided to watch this movie which deals the serious subject of sex trafficking in India. Based on some true events the story opens up with Rani as a brave lady officer who is bold and mannish. The dialogue was witty to portray a daring officer when she deals with a goon who messes with her. The way she asks them "anyone else wants to learn law" was fantastic. The story gets serious when Rani tangles herself into the case of a missing girl "Pyarri" who is known to her. Then she traces and reaches Walt the kingpin of the child sex trafficking and challenges him that she will save the girls within thirty days. The rest of the story travels with some raw reality about human trafficking and drug deals from Mumbai to Delhi to expose some hard truth about India. Whether Shivani Shivaji Roy was able to succeed her mission of saving the girls before they lose their innocence in prostitution is the rest of the plot featuring some investigations, chase etc., makes us stay engaged throughout the movie. As for as the performances the lead starting Rani Mukerji is promising as Shivani Shivaji Roy senior inspector of police crime branch Mumbai. May it be a blind girl in "Black" or an adulterous wife in "KANK" or a daring journalist in "No one killed Jessica" or the bubbly thief in "B&B" she has always justified her role. Yet again she proves again her versatility. Then comes Tahir Bhasin as Walt the antagonist succeeds in creating a feel of hatred towards him. Technically brilliant camera works and BGM helped the movie greatly. #Mardaani is a worth watch gripping tale but lags something to join the wagon of other woman hood films like "English Vinglish" "Kahaani" "Queen" "Fashion" "The Dirty Picture". Eagerly waiting to watch the next film on this league PC's avatar as "MaryKom". -Reviewed by Sivakumar Balachandran

A rare realistic movie in Indian commercial cinema

[rahulmailsonix · 10/10 · 22 August 2014]

Mardaani is a brilliant movie, and especially so because it comes in a time so crowded by the larger-than-life police cop, who is way beyond falling into physics of regular procedurals. The casting is picture perfect, and the dialogs, not crispy, but suited well. I appreciate the fact that they didn't push in any songs (except for one song in the end in the background, but that is acceptable), and the movie respects intellect and reality (lending it an 'adult' rating). The whole negative cast of the film is so well cast, (partly because its from a real life story), that I couldn't take my eyes off. Its a recommended movie, (and definitely a better watch than the Expendibles.) and I am happy that people have sensibilities in them to make meaningful cinema.

Mardaani: A Celebration of Woman Power

[shiraj-dakshy · 7/10 · 22 August 2014]

There are some movies which are made just to entertain but there are some which makes you think, Mardaani falls in the latter genre.

Human Trafficking is a business which is growing at an alarming rate worldwide and India is a hub of Child Trafficking and Mardaani deals with this topical subject.

Gopi Puthran chooses a controversial topic of Human Trafficking for his story and the risk with such subjects is that it becomes preachy. But thankfully Gopi's screenplay refrains from doing so and tells the story in a thriller format of a crime branch Inspector Shivani Shivaji Roy (Rani Mukherjee) who has a soft spot for an orphan Pyari (Debutant Priyanka Sharma). Life takes a turn for Shivani when Pyari goes missing, how Shivani busts the Human Trafficking nexus and finds Pyari constitutes the rest of the story.

Gopi's screenplay captures the modus operandi of how human trafficking is done in a thriller format which is engaging and keeps you at the edge of the seat; not much time is spent on the emotional quotient. It is the climax which looks a bit too convenient. The characters are realistic and so are the dialogues. But I thought the Thriller quotient could have been much better as the surprise element is missing in most part of the movie.

The performances are the biggest highlight of the movie. Rani as Shivani gives a crackling performance, everything from her body language to the way she speaks everything is spot on. Rani Mukherjee again proves that you cannot keep a good actor away for too long. Another brilliant performance is of the debutant Tahir Raj Bhasin who plays the antagonist Karan, he is so good that you start hating him, truly a brilliant debut. Tahir's portrayal of Karan is a perfect complement to Rani's portrayal of Shivani. Mona Ambegoankar gives a superb performance, though her role is small but she shines even in a brief role, sad to see that a brilliant actress like her is underutilized. Another debutant Priyanka Sharma as Pyari shows spark. Jishu Sengupta the Bengali actor is wasted in a brief role. Rest of the cast is cast well and they do a good job. I should mention Shanoo Sharma the casting director who has done a brilliant job of casting.

The second highlight is the cinematography by Artur Zurawski who captures the bylanes of Mumbai and Delhi well and keeps the tone as realistic as possible in lieu of the narration.

With "Mardaani" Pradeep Sarkar resumes his original form which was seen in "Parineeta" (2005). Though a dark and sensitive subject, but Pradeep handles it well and keeps the narrative simple though a bit of twists would have been better. But Pradeep is successful is extracting some brilliant performances from the cast which is commendable.

Kudos to Pradeep Sarkar for taking up such a sensitive issue for a movie and showing how women can defend themselves against odds. This movie is a true celebration of woman power....

Not ur regular Bollywood trash, tight script, crispy editing n lots of tension n suspense.

[Fella_shibby · 9/10 · 25 March 2018]

I first saw this in a theatre with my dad n son. Revisited it recently on a dvd. It is a solid crime thriller. Rani Mukherjee pulled of the job of a cop very well. The fight sequences r top notch n thank God ther ain't any songs in this film. People may find similarities with Trade (2007) n Taken (2008).

An eye opener- a message conveyed brilliantly.

[ajit2106 · 7/10 · 27 August 2014]

The current circumstances of India on a flip side are inhuman inclinations, rapes, murders, kidnappings, human trafficking and so on. We are suddenly surrounded by these rapists and captors. "Mardaani" gives us an eye opener, teaches us about the morality and humanity. This is a great effort by the Director Pradeep Sarkar and the Writer Gopi Puthran.

Shivani Shivaji Roy (Rani Mukerji) is a senior crime branch officer in Mumbai, her daughter like Pyari (Priyanka Sharma) gets kidnapped by a trafficking faction, led by Walt (Tahir Bhasin). She gets engulfed in the dirty web and pledges to destroy the entire racket.

The narrative is perfectly paced; there are no-nonsense song sequences or clichéd melodramatic scenes. Pradeep Sarkar has chosen a definitive panache of depicting the prostitution which is never titillating but uncomfortable. It has a well-researched script with seamlessly weaved scenes. It never becomes overdramatic or pretentious. Certain scenes, a woman barged into the rickshaw as police are prepared for the raid or the scene when minister ready to rape Shivani etc. are stand-out. However, the background score sometimes is melodramatic and slows the stride of scenes.

Tahir Bhasin, in his debut, did an impeccable job, as a next-door boy. His screen presence, dialog delivery, body language, and mannerisms are terrific. He is just outstanding as a hideous antagonist who gets annoyed over a girl's impatience demeanor and asks her to take a bite from his plate if she is that exasperated.

Rani Mukerji delivers a flawless performance with masculine and feminine sides at the same time. The supporting across did a fantastic job in their important roles.

Moreover, Mardaani generates awareness about child trafficking for sexual misconducts. It conveys a message that we are now on the edge of this viciousness and it needs to be stopped.

Mardaani is a must watch. 7.5/10

A Crisp, Intense Crime-Drama!

[namashi_1 · 9/10 · 27 August 2014]

'Mardaani' Directed by the talented Pradeep Sarkar, is A Crisp, Intense Crime-Drama, that is Well-Written, Superbly Directed & Brilliantly Acted. The film comes as a pleasant surprise & ranks among the better films of 2014, yet.

'Mardaani' Synopsis: A cop's search for a missing teenage girl leads her to the depraved world of child trafficking. What follows is a cat-and-mouse game between the fearless cop and a ruthless mafia kingpin.

'Mardaani' has a power-packed first-hour, with each sequence leaving an impact. The cat-and-mouse game between the fearless cop & the ruthless mafia kingpin is grasping, although the second-hour slows down a bit. What makes 'Mardaani' work prominently, is its raw approach & the brisk pacing, which keeps its spectator glued to the screen.

Gopi Puthran's Screenplay is fabulous. Its gritty, intense & fast. However, the climatic moments aren't too effective. Pradeep Sarkar's Direction is simply superb. He's in command this time around. Cinematography is top-class. Editing is balanced. Action-Sequences are raw.

Performance-Wise: Rani Mukherji is in terrific form. She enacts the cop with rage & intensity. She leads the film with a yet another stellar performance! Tahir Bhasin is tremendous as the chief villain. He handles his part with utmost conviction. Anil George is absolutely brilliant in a small, yet frightening role. Jisshu Sengupta is sincere. Others lend admirable support.

On the whole, 'Mardaani' packs a solid punch! Strongly Recommended!

Sarkar attempts to make a taut thriller tackling a serious social issue but it just remains an attempt with a pretty routine second half.

[bobbysing · 6/10 · 3 September 2014]

I have been a fan of Pradeep Sarkar since his days of directing music videos that used to be all about love, feelings and emotional warmth. The same touch was evidently visible in his first movie PARINEETA (2005) and to some extent in LAAGA CHUNRI MEIN DAAG (2007) too. But post the debacle of his second movie which had its own set of inspirations taken from films like AAINA (1977) & more, the director I loved got lost into this tempting commercial world giving away to his big producer's dictated products and the influential star system running our major part of the industry. His next LAFANGEY PARINDEY (2010) caused a great amount of unexpected dissatisfaction and though the latest MARDAANI is certainly a better attempt, but continues to do the same, probably once again made as per someone else's directions and requirements.

Tackling a serious social issue of Child Trafficking or Child Sex Rackets, Sarkar begins well offering some fine emotional scenes and a shocking depiction of the truth with some hard hitting sequences too. The concerning working style of the Police squad headed by Rani Mukherjee reminds you of Aamir Khan's SARFAROSH right away and one feels that there is surely something great coming up next well supported by a talented cast.

Sadly just after the first 45-50 minutes or let's say post the intermission, MARDAANI completely gets derailed and makes way for all routine, predictable & clichéd sequences ruining the fine build up created by its initial hour. The writing begins taking bits and pieces from many earlier thrillers and the direction simply falls down to the level of 'mediocre'. For instance the ages old formulas of using the 'Tailor's tag on the clothes' or 'the sound of train or Azaan' spotted in the phone call of the kidnapper are fitted into the screenplay as if they wished to give a tribute to that gone era. The ministers involved in the racket are simply showcased as some sick perverts turning into helpless clowns towards the end and the Police department is supposed to be run or guided by a single lady officer in a complete filmy Dabangg style.

So what could have been the next intense, thought provoking big thriller becomes a pretty poor and weak film in its second half saved by just the performances to say it all. Rani Mukherjee tries hard and excels in her action and emotional scenes in particular. Due to the weak characterization she does tend to go over the top in the beginning but certainly deserves appreciation for agreeing to the unconventional role and then performing it well to. Tahir Raj Bhasin makes his presence felt boldly and so does Mona Ambegaonkar in her short but convincing portrayal of an evil lady. Jishu Sengupta, Priyanka Sharma, Anil George and others in the supporting cast do not get much scope but they don't disappoint either in their respective performances.

Shot in a gritty style with a fine background score not making it too loud like SINGHAM RETURNS, the film impresses in its first half and then loses the major marks post interval. Yet, the attempt cannot be ignored for three major reasons.

First, for having an important and worth noticing subject of child trafficking.

Second, for its completely focused progression throughout the two hours of duration without any song, denying the usual norm.

And third for some good performances which don't let you to write off the film unlike any other repetitive cop-movie made without a vision.

The concept of getting back an abducted girl sure reminds you of many Hollywood films like the TAKEN series and the latest Nagesh Kukunoor project too titled LAKSHMI (2014), which was also about the same issue projected more sensitively with a brutal realistic touch. Yet MARDAANI rightly scores few good points due to its off the routine attempt supported by some big names and a reputed production house.

However if only, Sarkar and his writers wouldn't have gone the obvious Dabangg way just to showcase the women power in a pure filmy manner towards the end and could have presented the investigations in some novel style in its concluding hour, MARDAANI would have been so different and impressive reaching out to many more viewers as desired. So in the present avatar, it just remains an OK one time watch putting the much needed light on a burning and shameful truth of our sick social structure.

Poor making for a good content...

[ajeeshrijo · 4/10 · 16 October 2019]

Am rated 4 stars and all that credits goes to the guy who played villain role in this movie... This is a poor direction ... Every seen feels like individual. Basically there is no fluency .... But I strongly believe that the director of the movie can do much better movie next time... And again villain of the filim is simply awesome 💞💞💞

Isn't it ironic?

[sesht · 31 August 2014]

After the train-wrecks that were 'Laaga chunari mein daag' (with the same lead) and 'Lafangey Parindey', Pradeep 'Parineeta' Sarkar uses YRF to polish up the tough subject of human trafficking. There was a recent movie headlined by Rachel Weisz (The Whistleblower) on the subject as well, so the timing of this one is also interesting (inspiring, perhaps). Surprisingly enough, with the exception of a few hiccups, he manages to pull it off.

The mis-steps first: A few sequences in the beginning, intended solely to evoke empathy (with a few choice film-making sledgehammers up his sleeve) in the minds of the audience, were a little too smack in-your-face, even with the choices made in sound design and score, that I had virtually no hopes for what came next. Add to that some severe exposition and sentimentality, and I was sure this was just gonna be another run-of-the-mill Bollywood potboiler.

Even the choice of the title is a decent metaphor (for those who get it) for describing what (most) men in the business perceive as their right over their fellow human-beings, i.e., treating them as just another commodity.

Much has been criticized about the last 15 minutes of the movie, and I went in dreading that portion, but I thought that it was pretty well-handled, giving a little logic to an otherwise clichéd situation. After all the cat-and-mouse games all thru the flick, allowing the lead to make a decision that smacked of Bollywood excess was actually not bad for a change. Even the scene where she goes 'Bourne' on her would-be assassins was handled with verve and polish, bringing to mind the excellent 'Kahaani'.

Making the bad guy a very relatable conversationalist has to be one of the best master-strokes in this genre, with him going toe-to-toe with the lead, manipulating her, going one-up on her, in spite of her being so collected and presenting a veneer of control, ensuring that his punch hit home at the end of their sparring sessions, involving us in their once-you-win-next-I-do possibly brought forth the best portions in this flick. I was reminded of the excellent 'Ransom' during those sequences. Add to that the sequences that show him being vulnerable as well, with this curious mix making for extremely entertaining viewing all-through.

All in all, while it's not perfect, it makes for very engrossing viewing at the multiplex closest to you.

A word about the censors though - seems as though the policies are extremely inconsistent, where all the swear words in this one are left intact, along with some partial nudity, in the same week that the adult-rated 'November man' (also dealt with the same subject as this one, albeit from a different perspective) was ripped to shreds, with some talking-portions of the PG-13 'Expendables 3' also meeting the scissors. I do prefer the approach adopted to retaining the gritty feel and sounds of 'Mardaani', but confess to be extremely confused about what their policies are actually about.

MY REVIEW: The Heroism of Heroine!!

[saytosandeep · 7/10 · 2 September 2014]

Mardaani. It's a welcome change. A heroine oriented violent movie from YRF without a single song and without any distractions from the main plot during those crisp and tight 1 hour and 50 minutes. Rani Mukerjee after a long time gets a fresh and meaty role in form of a lady police officer from Mumbai crime branch who starts investigating a women trafficking crime for her own reasons but soon finds the bigger and ugly picture.

Movie gains its strength from its reasonably short length. From the scene one, without wasting a minute you are introduced to tough and quirky Shivani Shiviji Rao and before you settle down, she is playing the cat and mouse chase game with her nemesis played by newcomer Tahir Raj Bhasin who is also at equal ease and full of fire power.

Although movie does not dare to go into much detailing of the heinous crime and also somewhat fails to exploit the emotional connection between Rani and her doctor husband. But still using a linear screenplay and funny one liners here and there, movie holds itself together to keep you interested in the proceedings.

I am going with strong 7 out of 10 for Mardaani. At the end, you feel satisfied and movie sends its message right that women are not to be taken for granted.

A genius attempt!!

[SohamChak · 9/10 · 22 August 2014]

The cover page may show how the country is honored and reputed with her inordinately enriched culture, but beneath the radiant covers lie some of the darkest stories listening to which one might flinch with disgust and pain. Pradeep Sarkar and his team made a masterful attempt to narrate one of them, Child trafficking.

After Pradeep Sarkar's dual debacles(Laaga Chunari Mein Daag and Lafangey Parindey), with "Mardaani" he manages to strike the bull's-eye this time. With a crisp, fast-paced and to-the-point screenplay, the movie keeps you glued for the entire two hours. Though dramatic and filled with intense emotions, the sequences of the film are quite within the realistic domain(the climax however may seem another typical- Bollywood-hero-villain-clash).

In terms of characterization, Shivani Shivaji Roy (Rani Mukherji) the daring protagonist is an elegant amalgamation of Mother India and Bajirao Singham. She breaks every barrier for the girl(who she thinks of her as her daughter), she fights everyone gallantly(but staying within the realms of human power)...Rani Mukherji totally justified the role. Karan Rastogi alias Walt (Tahir Raj Bhasin) also manages to tingle the nerves with his villainous performance. Pyari(Priyanka Sharma), the abducted street girl, also makes her presence felt with her obtrusive performance.

I salute and applaud the team's effort to raise awareness of such a gruesome issue which preys over 40,000 innocent children of the country every year.

an adequately watchable movie.....

[shivamt25 · 7/10 · 18 September 2014]

Rani Mukharji is a tremendous actress, no doubt about that after seeing black. This movie is something she hasn't done yet, but it doesn't seem like this is going to stop her. She has done a great job once again, walking straight, talking foul wearing shirt and pant, we kind of get a feeling of lady Dabangg or Singham you can say. Although it do seem a little bit cliché, but people in India will surely find it new. Supporting cast is OK but Rani steals the show, the villain do have a great pace in his tone when he speaks which give him a dark look. Mardaani is an inspiring movie which tells that women are stronger now than they ever were, so stop messing with them or they will kill you ! It presents a bitter truth that child trafficking is a major problem in the country which has to be eradicated. So if you want to watch an action drama which presents the current problems of society effectively, this can be a good option.

Fabulous!

[sam-sonkho · 10/10 · 27 August 2014]

10 pointers for a 10 on 10 review - 1. By far the best Bollywood movie of the year 2014. 2. Power packed performances by Rani Mukherjee and Tahir Bhasin. 3. A No-Nonsense movie - Must Watch. 4. With a strong message sent back to the society! 5. Small details and every minute aspect kept intact! 6. Super-cop performance with minimal resources at disposal. 7. No songs in between serious scenes - No breakaway from context. 8. Decent performance by support cast. 9. Common Man scenes for larger mass. 10. Typically unBollywoodish - will keep you glued to your seat for the entire length of the movie - ends with a cracker from Sunidhi!

Good comeback of Rani

[silvan-desouza · 7/10 · 30 August 2014]

Rani Mukherjee has been trying a comeback since ages, her last film TALAASH got her good reviews and did well yet she needed a big comeback, her career earlier was ruined due to her continuous films only with Yashraj banner for obvious reasons many which flopped. Pradeep Sarkar too makes a comeback after LAAGA CHUNARI MEIN DAAG which was a flop, that film too spoke on prostitution. MARDAANI however is a good film, we have seen women oriented cop films before but the child abuse aspect is brilliantly handled, the film does seem inspired from TAKEN(2008) though not much. The cat and mouse game is superb while the end though filmy is well handled.The film has lot of abuses and skin show(not much) but yet it suits the theme Thankfully there is no romance in the film, only 1 song towards the end too and the going ons are kept quite realistic except at times

Direction is good

Rani Mukherjee is superb in her role and nails it, Bhisu Sengupta as her hubby is good, Taahir Bhasin is superb as the villain, rest are all good, including Mona Ambedgaonkar

Serious movie without putting unnecessary songs!

[sohambasak1996 · 9/10 · 29 August 2014]

The problem with serious movies in India is that people don't like to watch these movies in theaters. Most of the people, i am not saying all want some peppy movie with sizzling songs and item numbers which can spice them up or some silly comedy which i they think makes them tingle and expect us to laugh, well that ain't happening.

Starting of, i personally thought that movie career for women are only up to a few years from now and a very old concept is that after marriage heroines just loose their roles but this ain't true.

Rani Mukerji is back and altogether for a bang! This movies is kick-ass. You don't have to worry about censoring dirty abusive language or scenes because this is reality and criminals just don't say all their biography by just a slap.

Our heroes could learn this from Rani...

A must watch which is very rare for Bollywood Films...

Indian version of "Taken"!!!!

[rajatdahiyax · 7/10 · 10 August 2015]

Mardaani is a 2014 Indian crime thriller film directed by Pradeep Sarkar and produced by Aditya Chopra. The film stars Rani Mukerji in the lead role, with Jisshu Sengupta and Tahir Raj Bhasin appearing in supporting roles.

Shivani Shivaji Roy, a dedicated and brave police officer with Mumbai Police, chases a Delhi-based kingpin, Karan Rastogi, who runs an organised crime cartel involving child trafficking and drugs. Her aim is to hunt him down and rescue a teenage girl, Pyaari. Pyaari is an orphan who is kidnapped by Karan's men. Shivani had saved Pyaari from being sold by her uncle and started taking care of her, and since then Pyaari is like a daughter to her. She takes the task more personally and goes beyond her legal rights and duties to nab Karan and save Pyaari.

Khoob Ladi MARDAANI

[rajat_srvstv · 8/10 · 25 August 2014]

After almost 2 years,Rani Mukherjee dazzles the silver screen with her impactful and fearless rendition of CBI officer Shivani (Shivaji) Roy.She is an institution and inspiration for many newbies who do nothing more than painting their faces and running around trees. Director Pradeep Sarkar not only extracts a power-packed performance from all the actors, but also minutely explores the in-depth layers of child trafficking. The movie has enough chills and thrills to keep you glued to your seats. Hats off to Yashraj for presenting cinema in its purest form without sensationalizing or speaking over-the-top. It is one of the best movies of this year, though viewer's discretion is recommended (due to Adult Content), people who like sensible cinema shouldn't miss it.

good, but clearly no Sarfarosh!

[achyutaghosh · 6/10 · 30 August 2014]

I really wanted to like Mardaani a lot. For an audience that has been bombarded with silly, over the top action films, Mardaani, on paper, had a lot going for it. A realistically directed woman centric film with a simple plot, albeit on a topic we would rather want to brush under the carpet, with a title that evokes passion, and a capable lead actress who does not shy away from deglamorized roles. The final product though is good, not great.

Rani Mukherjee is Shivani Shivaji Roy, an expletive spewing, no nonsense Mumbai cop who gets embroiled in a case concerning a disappearing girl. She stumbles upon a global human trafficking racket managed sublimely by young, educated Karan (Tahir Bhasin) from Delhi. A cat and mouse game is soon on. She calls him Under 19 team ka 12th man, he calls her "Maám"- respectfully. Rani channelizes Liam Neeson (I do not know where you are but in 30 days I will find you and kill you) from Taken, while Bhasin's role model seems to be Walter White from Breaking Bad- someone who finds crime intoxicating, and liberating.

We might not want to believe, but there is a flourishing ecosystem in place that supports human trafficking, and the people involved in it look as normal as your next door neighbor. Director Pradeep Sarkar has been known to tackle social issues in his movies, but all very superficially. Mardaani is no different. The gritty quotient is relegated to a few curses, some down to earth fight sequences, and natural performances from the lead and supporting actors. Soon though, every known cliché begins to feature- all Nigerians are drug dealers, politicians have to be involved. The movie is reasonably tight in the first half as the hunter and the hunted trade blows. However, it so tried to be matter of fact, fails to be so in the end, as the climax becomes kind of what a Singham or Dabangg would evangelize- that in India the law does not work, and so you need to take it in your own hands.

Rani is in top form though, evocative as ever. That she is tough is a point made throughout the movie. Her eyes speak a thousand words when her family starts getting targeted by her nemesis. However she is not naturally athletic, and does not shine in the action sequences. But like his idol, the breakout character is Karan. Shrewd, creepy, calculating and yet absolutely the guy next door, this guy is scarily normal.

Mardaani has got a A certificate, but it is not really hard hitting. However, it is a refreshing change from the explosion a minute action capers we have been seeing lately, but clearly, no Sarfarosh!

Confused.

[acidrosesrijit · 2/10 · 23 August 2014]

OK. So here's the thing. I went with hopes of watching a gritty police procedural film, something like Sarfarosh, Ardh Satya, or Droh Kaal. But what we get is a confused and incompetently directed film that can't decide whether it will lean towards clichéd melodrama or realism. The film has a good premise and a base for delivering an impactful social message. But it falls face flat like Talaash. In the film, a street urchin is apparently mother-henned by Rani Mukherjee's cop character - Shivani Shivaji Roy. But the urchin, an adolescent girl, apparently gets by through selling flowers at intersections and gets kidnapped promptly. If this girl was so special to Rani, then why the F would she be selling flowers at roads to eke out a living? Next, Rani doesn't fit the role of a Mumbai Crime Branch cop because she doesn't think like one. There are hundreds of examples, but here are some of the glaring errors. First, as a cop, would you like to have locks of hair hanging across your face? Isn't there a reason why cops have a cropped cut or have their hair clipped tightly? The reason is, because in a fight, it can be a serious detriment. Second, when you are out to bust someone or hellbent on vengeance, would you remember to apply eyeliners and lipstick or would you be more focused on getting your target? Third, somewhere in the middle of the film, the villain sends a package to the cop's house in a pink ribboned Archies-style box. The cop, in her infinite wisdom, picks up the effing box and shakes it vigorously. Wow, now only if there was a sweet mercury primer in the box with a lump of C4 or a few sticks of dynamite. Apparently, this character hadn't heard of letter bombs. Anyway, the movie gods watch over drunkards and fool cops and it turns out to be a little finger. (Pardon, Lord Baelish). But I am digressing. Fourth, in the final climactic moment, the cop has a gun to the villain's head. BUT, and its a BIG but, she does not have her finger on the trigger! She literally does not have her index finger on the trigger of a gun that she has on the villain's head. Really? Why in F's name would a veteran cop hold a glock to someone's head in a totally lame@$$ way? But this is not the icing on the cake. That comes right at the end. In her method to prove her "macho" mardaani, she, in a loser homage to all the silly 80's action flicks, chucks her gun away and starts pelting fists and kicks in a most silly fashion to beat the stuffing out of the villain. Is this common sense? There are more, and I could go on forever. Its sad, because some clever editing and some well placed shots would have improved the quality. Sorry Rani, I love you as an actress and maybe the concept has its heart in the right place, but as a film it is bogus.

Mardaani is no lady Singham but beyond..

[Swapnilagarwal · 7/10 · 24 August 2014]

Looks like, 2014 has ushered in an era of women-centric movies. After Kangana in and as 'Queen' and 'Revolver Rani' and before PC appears in and as 'Mary Kom', comes Rani Mukherjee in and as 'Mardaani'. Though a cop saga, this one doesn't fall into the Chulbul/ Singham masala territory of singing-dancing cops. Rather, makers have tried their best to make it as genuine and relevant as possible. It may somewhere be compared to the likes of Sushmita's 'Samay' but falls short of becoming a 'Gangajal'. A detailed analysis of the movie as follows:

• Plot: Contrary to most women-centric movies, this one doesn't revolve around life of main protagonist Shivani Shivaji Roy played by Rani. Rather, it touches upon nuances and details of the gory world of crime specifically flesh and drugs trade. Director Pradeep Sarkar sticks to the topic and creates a no-nonsense saga. However, this makes the movie a bit dry sans glamour and masala entertainment. Also, movie tends to slow in parts; but then that is how our police system operates amidst the red-tape rule book. The climax is a bit over-the-top but heartening. A feel-good ending always makes you leave theatre with a ray of hope in heart. Considering the topic, there are some disturbing scenes (which justifiably called for an A-rating). 'Mardaani''s biggest success is that it doesn't end to be a documentary on human trafficking but keeps you engaged most of the time through a well-crafted storyline.

• Cast: Rani returns to big screen after a hiatus and this is her first release after her wedding. Despite signs of ageing and those extra pounds, she chose to go de-glam and play the 'duty-first' Shivani with full élan! Her body language, mannerisms, action-avatar and emotions (esp. her talking eyes) are all perfect to suit the role. This can be rated an inch above her 'Noone killed Jessica' performance, since this time there was no Vidya to support and the movie literally stands on her shoulders. No, it is not a one-woman show. Tahir Bhasin, as the main antagonist, gives full takkar to Rani. His guy-next-door looks, body- language and dilli-stic dialogue-delivery infuse life into his character. His talent should definitely be further explored in future. Rest of the support cast does full justice to their roles making the flick realistic.

• Music: Fortunately, as required in such films, there is no song to break the pace of the movie. The only one ("Main tujhe nahi chhodungi") comes towards the end and adds to the mood of the moment.

• Flaws: 'Mardaani' could have been a movie to remember and join the likes of 'Kahani' and 'Queen'. However, in quest of making it too realistic, it lacks entertainment value and thrill. Somewhere, you get a feel of having watched a 'Crime patrol' episode. Too much detailing makes it lost track intermittently. Also, Rani alone handling the case in the end looks a bit fictional.

Despite these flaws, Yashraj Films deserve applause for having selected this burning topic and showcasing it on big screen under their commercial banner. This movie is not recommended for those searching for light-hearted entertainment. However, for those longing for sensible, meaningful stuff, do NOT dare give it a miss!