Director: Meghna Gulzar
Writer: Vishal Bhardwaj
Stars: Irrfan Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma, Neeraj Kabi
In 2008, the murders of Aarushi Talwar and Hemraj left the nation horrified. A 14-year-old girl was killed in her own home and the domestic helper was found murdered on the building’s terrace. I remember how this shook us all because it involved people like us, respectable middle-class families.
Talvar is the very obviously disguised story of the incidents surrounding this heinous crime. It gives a detailed account of the investigations that led to the parents being convicted for the double murder. While the film gives an almost documentary version of the events that took place without giving its own verdict, it is abundantly clear that there was a terrible and deliberate miscarriage of justice.
This is a compelling but difficult film to watch because we know all along that we are not in some fictitious cinema created world but in a cosmopolitan Indian city and it is the reality around us. I was left feeling disturbed and angry when I came out of the theatre (not a very convincing reason to see the film, I know) but at the same time aware of how much power the system has over us and how carelessly power can be abused by those we trust to protect us.
And that’s why I would recommend you see Talvar. This could easily have been you and me. What can we do to prevent this from happening to us? What about that mother and father who have been falsely (in my opinion) accused and suffering in prison, grieving the loss of their only child while the culprits (again, in my opinion) roam free? Will anyone fight for the Talwars? Who will bring to justice those who are responsible for this miscarriage of justice? Will anything come out of this? Questions still on my mind.. and I’m sure will be on yours after seeing this film
