Gulaab Gang (2014) - Hindi Movie Review

Gulaab Gang (2014) - Hindi Movie Review

Cast :

• Madhuri Dixit as Rajjo
• Juhi Chawla as Sumitra Devi
• Tannishtha Chatterjee
• Divya Jagdale
• Priyanka Bose as Sandhya
• Lata S. Singh as Tara
• Vinitha Menon as Vinita
• Rani Patel as Khushboo
• Tanvi Rao

Directed by : Soumik Sen
Produced by : Anubhav Sinha, Abhinay Deo
Written by : Soumik Sen, Anubhav Sinha
Music by : Soumik Sen
Studio : Alumbra Entertainment
Distributed by : Sahara Movie Studios

Debutant director's Soumik Sen's 'Gulaab Gang' featuring Madhuri Dixit and Juhi Chawla is a women oriented movie based on the subject – Women's Empowerment. It is produced by film-director Anubhav Sinha and borrows real-life references of activist Sampat Pal. It is for the first time that Madhri Dixit-Nene and Juhi Chawla will be seen on-screen together.

'Gulaab Gang' begins with the voice-over of Actor Anil Kapoor who introduces us to Rajjo (Madhuri Dixit). Anil Kapoor narrates the struggle of Rajjo who grew up in Madhvpur Village and had to struggle a lot to gain education. It is portrayed that in that village it is crime for girls to think of studies.

Rajjo grows up and forms a sangathan – Gulaab Gang and heads it with lathi. The group comprises of lathi-weilding women in pink saris and runs the gang with the motto of fighting against social injustice. The gang focuses on tackling issues of dowry, rape and also issues related to food, electricity and water. The pink gang rescues Kajri from her violent husband and greedy mother-in-law which give us a glimpse of the role of the feminist group. But Rajjo has zero level tolerance and becomes violent as she fails resolving issues peacefully. Sen's pink gang also deals with electricity and water issues and blocks corrupt government officials which are based on true events.

Slowly the focus of the gang shifts to politics and election war where they come across politician Soumitra (Juhi Chawla). Difference lies only in their principles. Soumitra is an influential politico head referred as 'Madam' by everyone. So we can say that the second half is in fact a bitter battle between Madamji and Didiji. The rest of the movie is all about fight to victory among the two with varying outlook on social reforms.

Soumitra is a shrewd politician. She takes revenge on people who call her by her name instead of 'Madam'. She sends the policemen on leave when they don't bow in front of her. During her political speeches she talks about her late husband and mocks tears. While in the next scene she doesn't leaves in cursing the insurance company for not receiving her due amount.

'Gulaab Gang' has portrayed Juhi not in a bubbly avatar alike in 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak' but as villain. She is playing a mean evil political head and a role which carries negative shades. Madhuri is portrayed not as a 'dhak dhak' girl but as a leader of a girl gang who impresses all especially by her octane action scenes. Divya Jagdale (as Mahi) and Priyanka Bose (as Sandhya) play supporting role in this movie. Madhuri enjoys more screen presence compared to Juhi.

Director Soumik Sen's debut movie is based on the real-life of activist Sampat Pal. Editing, direction and screen-play have been highly taken care of. The two hours twenty minutes movie contains ideal composition of music by Soumik Sen. There is songs at every juncture of this serious movie which is a bit weird. Action scenes are finely directed.

Final Say: Soumik Sen has given impressive effort in his debut movie directing Chawla and Dixit in different avatars. Guys…Don't miss it!!