"NH10" - Master Attempt of Crime-Drama; however, Coming Short - Merinews

"NH10" - Master Attempt of Crime-Drama; however, Coming Short

15 March, 2015

Bollywood, or the Hindi Film Industry (majorly), since the last few years is undergoing yet another shift of trend from the conventional male-centric form of films to more female-oriented films, such as – "English Vinglish", "No One Killed Jessica", "The Dirty Picture", "Kahaani", "Highway", "Queen", and several more. The pulsating words from the acceptance speech of Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett, seem to be making crystal sense now – "…those of us in the industry who are still foolishly clinging to the idea that female films with women at the center are niche experiences. They are not. Audiences want to see them and, in fact, they earn money. The world is round, people."

"NH10" – a crime-drama venture of Phantom Films and Anushka Sharma – walks the path of the aforementioned. It is a hard-hitting, rustic, grim and violent tale of honour-killings and associated male-chauvinism and caste-jingoism which turns quite horrifying and disturbing at instances. The film does end up defining the 'problem' and the 'solution' – 'of' and 'in' such issues by – acute intolerance, where revenge is the driving force.

However, being a production of comparatively fresher crew, costs the film several loose points. Director Navdeep Singh ("Manorman Six-Feet Under") executes some intense sequences but overall is only moderately influential due to lack of engaging pace and 'stereotypical predictability' where even the Screenplay, Cinematography and Editing prove to be futile. Sound Design (Subhas Sahu, "Kaminey") adds occasional thrills, yet is inefficient and at moments becomes confusing. The Music Composition by a myriad of composers adds modest-individualistic flavor, however, "Maati Ka Palang" by Samira Koppikar is distinctively supportive. Supporting Cast provides some respite with Neil Bhoopalam, Darshan Kumaar, Ravi Jhankal and Deepti Naval.

The film is a master attempt of delivering realism in its rawness, however, it falls short. Nevertheless, this debut-production of Anushka Sharma would be liked for her acting and approach, especially by her fans.

Rating – 6.5/10

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