Talvar (2015)

I was bit unhappy as they couldn't find who is the exact murderer

If you compare this to a regular mainstream hindi flick, its Citizen Kane. If you compare this to inspired-by-real-life thriller/dramas... then it flawed, unnecessary and anti-climatic.The movie tries, but ends up neither a who-dunnit, nor a social commentary, nor a movie that exposes corruption, nor does it sheds light on anything shocking.The movie is based on a botched investigation of a famous double murder. The investigation aspect shown in the movie is flawed. Even a regular audience member can point out mistakes and assumptions being portrayed as evidence that no one could think of. The corruption/botched up investigation aspect is lightly touched upon. Then there is a parallel track of Irrfan and Tabu's separation which seems completely unnecessary and idiotic. It does not symbolize anything related to the story and looks absurd.Performances are fine. Indian cinema has definitely produced such close-to-real-life now and then, so this isnt anything special. Irrfan Khan is a splendid actor who doesnt need my vote. But this seems like a cakewalk role for him. It couldve been portrayed by anybody. In fact, he looks like a caricature of his usual self. Konkona is another fabulous actress. But her character doesnt have anything special to do in the movie. That too couldve been portrayed by anybody. Seems more insulting to the genre and serious cinema if you take known actors to sell your movie.I wouldve preferred a thoroughly researched documentary than this.

"Talvar" is based on Noida Double Murder Case of 2008, in which a 14 year old girl (Arushi Talwar) and 45 year old servant Hemraj Banjade) were found murdered for which the parents of the girl were convicted for life time imprisonment. The murder case gathered a lot of light in the media and still the case remains unsolved. The makers of the film should be commended for the subject they have chosen. Indeed the film makers had the guts to tell a story which many won't dare to. The story has a lot of strengths such as it exposes how the police, the first ones to reach the crime scene, work carelessly and are unsuccessful to secure the evidences. Besides, it exposes different methods of interrogation by CBI, like narcotic interrogation. The film dramatizes the names of the incident and turns into a feature film instead of documentary. Despite the strong story, the film has its weaknesses. It hasn't freed itself from the regular image of a CBI officer played by Irfan Khan. Don't know why the second phase of investigation by CBI doesn't look very interesting or convincing as the first phase. Anyway, on the aspect of the story, the film still remains disturbing yet mind blowing.Rating: 2 stars out of 4

India's biggest unsolved case couldn't get a truer justice. Talvar is simply mind-boggling. From the engaging frames of Meghna Gulzar comes a tale without a tail. An investigation that will leave you at your wit's end. With Vishal Bhardwaj's magnificent writing comes a piece that will let you fathom the 'what' and leave the 'how' for you to figure.You can't really forget the Aarushi murder case ever. Primarily because of all the media uproar it had managed to garner. It was always the talk of the town and always playing on the TV. The media were in the search of their masala (spice) and boy did they get their masala. It turned out to be a case where the conclusion was dropped first and assumed true way before the actual investigation. A perfect resonance to a typical Indian societal head! It is brilliantly reflective of the shortcomings of the Indian Police as they failed to take things seriously. It is one helluva slap to the smug face of the Indian Constitution, and would always be remembered as a black patch in the historical leaflets of crime-solving.Irrfan Khan brings a unique vibrancy to the flick that is downright commendable. His innate acting skills prevail in the air, and bring with him the right attitude. Right from the moment the movie begins it has a natural flavor to it, something Gulzar has managed to capture perfectly. All the characters in the flick are very well portrayed and brilliantly enacted. It has a side story too to make things interesting with the protagonist, to take your head off the steam occasionally.Names have been changed for emphasis which is quite understandable looking at the gravity of the case and the propensity for things getting blown out of context.It leaves you with trillion questions, and a billion what ifs. If at the end of the movie you don't come up with a conclusion in your head, and don't find yourself gnawing hard pressing on the detective brain of yours, the job of the filmmakers would be incomplete.That is the beauty of the movie. It leaves you baffled, wanting for more, and a proper closure. But Alas! That's how life is. Unsolved.