Film Review: Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai [A single man is enough]

Starring: Manoj Bajpayee, Adrija Sinha, Vipin Sharma, Surya Mohan Kulshrestha, Nikhil Pandey, Priyanka Setia, Jaihind Kumar, Durga Sharma

Director: Apoorv Singh Karki

Inspired by true events, this old-school courtroom drama thriller showcases the legal battle Advocate P.C. Solanki (Bajpayee) takes on against Babaji (Kulshrestha), a godman accused of assaulting a minor girl, Nu (Sinha). This film has already garnered much praise and for good reason.

The direction, screenplay and the performances are definitely applaud-worthy in this gripping tale which keeps you hooked from start to finish. Despite the difficult and emotional premise, ‘Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai’ – or simply ‘Bandaa’ – delivers an understated and highly realistic storytelling experience. Karki explores the ways in which such issues are perceived, discussed and dissected within a courtroom setting - something that is at once unsettling and eye-opening.

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Penned by Deepak Kingrani, the screenplay does justice to the talent brought to the table by a great cast, all of whom have delivered powerful performances regardless of the length of their respective screen times.

Needless to say, Bajpayee has yet again delivered a phenomenally intense performance, capturing every nuance, shade and aspect of his character to perfection. A special mention is also due for Kumar - who pitches the emotional conflict of a father who feels equally infuriated and helpless in the face of his daughter’s pain with heart-wrenching accuracy – and Sinha, whose expressive eyes bring out the intensity of Nu's internal struggle in a truly touching manner.

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Karki has struck the right balance with ‘Bandaa’, taking efforts to ensure that the film does not use Babaji as an example to denote the duplicity of spiritual leaders, or indeed the Hindu faith, as a whole. Solanki’s own devotion and beliefs, for instance, are what become the guiding light in his fight against injustice. Bajpayee’s monologue in the closing statement on the judgement day is also incredibly moving - proving not only to be a masterclass in acting but also in screenplay and the core philosophies of the Hindu faith.

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‘Bandaa’ is currently streaming on the OTT platform ZEE 5 and is definitely a must-watch for everyone, even if only to appreciate Bajpayee’s fantastic performance.