Nov. 24, 2022|India|119 Min.|Not Rated
Genre: Bollywood;Drama
Description: “Qala,” a 2022 film directed by Anvita Dutt, is a haunting, evocative, and provocative story now streaming on Netflix. It features a special cameo by Anushka Sharma, who appears in a black-and-white montage as a 1940s actress lip-syncing a song performed by the protagonist Qala Manjushree, played by Tripti Dimri. This sequence highlights a time when actresses received credit for playback songs, a practice later transformed by the legendary Lata Mangeshkar in the film industry.
Set in pre-independence India during the late 1930s and early 1940s, the film follows the journey of Qala Manjushree, a talented young singer striving to find her voice. Raised in a mansion in a small Himachal Pradesh village, Qala constantly seeks her mother Urmila’s (Swastika Mukherjee) approval. As she steps into the world of playback singing for films, she rises to fame, rivaling the popularity of the leading ladies she voices for.
The film is visually stunning, with each frame resembling an impressionist painting. The backdrop, whether it’s the snowy mountains of Himachal or the warm, vibrant tones of a Calcutta night, is meticulously crafted. The characters, set against these exquisite backgrounds, bring depth to the narrative.
“Qala” reflects on the era before playback singers gained recognition, with Varun Grover portraying a progressive lyricist named Majrooh, inspired by Majrooh Sultanpuri. This cinematic masterpiece explores themes of talent, identity, and the quest for recognition in a time of cultural change. The movie is available in multiple languages, including Hindi, English, Tamil, and Telugu, all in one file for convenience.”
Cast director: Anvita Dutt
Cast actor: Tripti Dimri, Swastika Mukherjee, Babil Khan, Amit Sial, Varun Grover, Sameer Kochhar, Girija Oak, Swanand Kirkire, Veera Kapur Ee, Tasveer Kamil
Original name: कला