Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai Review: Manoj Bajpayee Film On Asaram Bapu Rape Case Is A Compelling Man vs Godman Story
It's a must-watch!
Indian cinema has given us several genres of films but nothing can keep a person engaged as much as a legal thriller or a courtroom drama. Over the years, we’ve seen several courtroom dramas but only a few of them have managed to make a mark or showcase the realities of what happens in a courtroom until very recently. One such film is the upcoming film Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai starring Manoj Bajpayee. Directed by Apoorv Singh Karki and produced by Zee Studios in partnership with Bhanushali Studios and Suparn S Varma, Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai is scheduled to release on the OTT platform Zee5 on May 23. Without further ado, let’s dive into this review.
The Story Of Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai
Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai is a legal thriller inspired by true events. It follows the story of Advocate Poonam Chand Solanki aka PC Solanki (played by Manoj Bajpayee), who prosecuted the self-styled godman Asaram Bapu under the POCSO Act for raping a minor. It follows a 5-year long battle of an advocate to bring justice to a minor girl, Nu Singh, who was sexually harassed by a man she considered a god. It revolves around the battle the advocate fought in the court against lawyers like Ram Jethmalani in the high-profile case where several witnesses were attacked and killed.
Also Read: Godman Asaram Bapu Convicted In 2013 Surat Rape Case. A Timeline Of All That Happened
Cast And Characters
Manoj Bajpayee plays the character of Adv PC Solanki and the actor has anchored. It’s a Manoj Bajpayee film and no one could’ve played the part better than the actor. I’d say Manoj Bajpayee delivered an outstanding performance but it wouldn’t even cut close to what the actor has done in this film. To say that he has excelled would be an understatement. The actor will make give you goosebumps with his nuanced and perfect acting skills. From his expressions to his dialogue delivery, the actor did not leave any scope for error.
While the film was no ensemble cast, the casting couldn’t have been better. From Adrija as Nu Singh to Surya Mohan Kulshrestha as Baba to Kaustav Sinha as Adv PC Solanki’s sidekick, every single actor delivered an impressive performance. Adrija as Nu Singh has little screentime but it’s impossible to not feel her anguish. We could not have asked for more.
Verdict: Manoj Bajpayee As Adv PC Solanki Remains Undefeated In This Legal Thriller
Every single actor manages to make a mark with their performance in Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai. But Manoj Bajpayee as Advocate PC Solanki remains undefeated in the film. Unlike most other courtroom dramas, this film delivers what it promises, a legal thriller that will keep you hooked to the screen. Not even a pee break will make you want to take your eyes off Manoj Bajpayee on the screen. From wanting a picture with the actor playing a high-profile lawyer, Ram Chandwani (read Ram Jethmalani), seeking bail for the baba to legal strategies to not wanting to be called Poonam Chand Solanki (he prefers PC Solanki) to feeling emotionally drained due to the case, Manoj Bajpayee’s Adv PC Solanki is brilliant. The actor steals every single scene and owns the screen with his dialogue delivery and excellent acting skills.
IMHO, Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai is one of the best legal thrillers because it focuses on the case and less on minor rape victims (as it should) but that does not make it any less emotional. If anything, the film is emotionally charged and showcases the struggles of a small lawyer fighting a high-profile case with authenticity. The courtrooms are also portrayed with authenticity. That’s what makes the film all the more realistic. The film has some light moments of humour like when Adv PC Solanki tries to ask celebrated lawyer Ram Chandwani for a picture or when he manages to beat the former law minister, Swami, pleading for bail for the baba.
More importantly, it takes one through the journey of the advocate who fought for justice. The man who was a one-man Army and who fought with courage and bravery in the face of fear to bring justice. It reminds us of what it cost to convict a powerful man and gave us the right to call a rapist a rapist. It showed us the painful journey and the story of the lives that were lost in this battle for justice. It showcases the strength and honesty with which a sessions court lawyer fought the case. There’s no doubt that this film is an ode to Advocate PC Solanki for the courage and bravery with which he made society a better place and got a conviction against a self-styled godman.
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The cinematography is beautiful. The camera captures little moments of emotions like when Manoj Bajpayee’s Adv PC Solanki delivers his closing argument and his lip twitches in the rage that he feels and how he clenches his fingers into a fist in an attempt to control his rage and even the moment when the advocate walks into the court with determination to win the legal battle or when he steps out of the court with his shoulder slightly slumped with the burden of not having the choice of failing and the fear in his face when a witness is killed in front of him just outside the court. Kudos to the cinematographer for capturing every emotion with the camera in the best possible manner.
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Also Read: Gujarat Court Sentences Asaram Bapu To Life In Prison For Rape, Prosecutor Calls Him “Habitual Offender”
That being said, I’m rating this film 4.5 stars out of 5. The only place where the film falters is in terms of the pace. While the first half is paced perfectly, it slows down in the second half. Further, the second half is much more emotionally charged (as expected) than the first half. TBH, I had a moment when I felt the waterworks coming in the second half. All in all, I’d say every single person should watch Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai. It’s a must-watch for every single person!
