Batla house

*ing: John Abraham, Mrunal Thakur, Nora Fatehi

Rated: 7.5/10

Yet another movie that released this week didn’t need to be told how it ends. The Batla House encounter is something that Delhiites are not likely to forget anytime soon, nor for that matter is Delhi Police. What really is the truth? Were the boys who were shot innocent as claimed by their families? Or were they guilty of the crime they were accused of? Is this what the movie wants to ask? Or is it just trying retell the story as it happened and reported by various newspapers?

It is all this and beyond since there are many events that take place and Batla House is a story that needed to be told. Not because in the end the police won but because we as citizens of this country need to take a step back and view some events without letting bias raise it’s ugly head. May be the movie tries to drive home this point but the truth is: Is a Class X student stone pelter innocent. He is a student. No denying. But is he innocent? He may have been forced or brainwashed. But the question still remains— is he innocent? We all know that ignorance of law excuses no one.

What makes this film interesting is that director Nikhil Advani manages to keep you interested in a movie despite the fact that the event was so closely followed by the entire nation — be it through newspapers or channels that ran the story from every angle possible to get to the truth.

Then there is John Abraham. After being part of recently released movies like Parmanu, Satyameva Jayate and Romeo Akbar Walter, the actor has managed to finally find a spot for himself that fits him to a T without making him look uncomfortable.

The docu feel to the film because of the clipping from real life footage gives Batla House a break from what would otherwise become monotonous since it is a repeat of the same thing. The item number by Nora Fatehi on the song O Saki Saki provides a break as well.

Advani and his writer Ritesh Shah need to be congratulated for making a movie that is not only intense but engaging as well.