|
By Taran
Adarsh, January 18, 2008 - 13:27 IST
 In
the 1980s, the South film industry churned out a slew
of socials/family sagas with Jeetendra heading the
cast. The target audience was, of course, the
families. TULSI follows the same path, but lacks the
punch to stay in your memory. Sure, a few portions do
make you moist-eyed, but the execution of the subject
material being archaic, the glimmer of hope
diminishes.
TULSI tells the story of Tulsi [Manisha Koirala],
married to a drunkard Suraj [Irrfan]. The couple is
blessed with four kids. One evening, while Suraj is
away, his friend [Yashpal Sharma] tries to molest
Tulsi. When Suraj gets to know of it, he beats Yashpal
black and blue.
A furious Yashpal swears revenge. In the meanwhile,
Tulsi is diagnosed with blood cancer. Yashpal attacks
Suraj and murders him. A distraught Tulsi now decides
to get her kids adopted by different families before
she's gone.
TULSI has an interesting plot, but the writing is too
mediocre. Things have been stretched to such a point
that you start feeling restless, in the second hour
specifically. Yet, it must be said that the concluding
reels are highly emotional.
Direction [K. Ajay Kumar] could've been better. Music
[Vinay Tiwari] is appealing, but the non-promotion
makes the effort go waste. Cinematography [Ajayan
Vincent] is first-rate. The lush-green locales are a
visual treat.
Manisha Koirala sinks her teeth in this role and
delivers a fine performance. As always, Irrfan is
efficient. Yashpal Sharma is getting typecast. Veteran
Vikram does a fine job. Kulbhushan Kharbanda is
wasted. The film also stars Sadashiv Amrapurkar,
Anjana Mumtaz, Tinnu Anand and his wife and Sahil
Chadha.
On the whole, TULSI has dim chances. And lack of
awareness will go against it!
Rating: *
|
