Kaagaz Review: Predictable and Average!

Kaagaz, released this week, is based on a real-life story. It is the story of Bharatlal (played effortlessly by Pankaj Tripathi), a pure village individual who works as a bandmaster. Set in 1975, after successfully developing his business, he decides to expand it and goes to the bank to get a loan. And as collateral, he wishes to give his farm.

He visits his hometown, where he learns that he has been declared dead by his aunt and brothers. He then goes on to fight the system to prove that he is alive. And as the movie name suggests, Kaagaz (a piece of paper) is required to prove that he is alive.

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Kaagaz was predictable and average. The narrative felt like a documentary about everyday life in India, everything that we face and have to go through. The film, in itself, didn’t hold any value, but it made me question the state of our country, where it takes nineteen years to prove that you are alive.

I was amazed that he’s able to do it in nineteen years because quick justice is not what Indians are known for. It takes existence to right a wrong here. The sorry state of our country; corruption, politics, and greed are what everyone recognizes and swear by. So in regards to showcasing and highlighting the glory of India, this movie does work.

Also, Kaagaz, at a certain level, did make me depressed and petrified as realizing that this is something that could happen to anyone in India, and we would have to go through the same thing as he did even 45 years after the events of the real life. And we can’t do anything about it! If you want to go through step by step what happens in India, how sorry the state we are in even in the year 2020, you should watch this one. It is not for a leisure watch as it will compel you to feel bad for being in this country.

Pankaj Tripathi did well to bring innocence into the character. One feels sorry for him and the condition of our country. He did a great job. I can’t imagine anyone else bringing this role to life other than Tripathi himself. If you are a fan of his, you won’t be disappointed. He was as simple as the movie itself.

Rating – 2.5/5 | Grade – C+ 

Written by Gagan Arora (IG – @gaganarora.13)

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