A thousand times "Yes" to Inkaar!

Sudhir Mishra does it yet again! After Yeh Saali Zindagi, Sudhir Mishra comes back with yet another intriguing drama set against the backdrop of an advertising agency. The story of ‘Inkaar’ is truly what every working individual can relate to. Casual flirting, flings, being attracted to your colleagues, office gossip, competition, politics, you know you’ve been there and seen it all! These are the many themes of ‘Inkaar’ and Mishra intelligently brings out all these aspects as the film progresses.

The story is set in advertising agency, the CEO of which, Rahul Verma is played by Arjun Rampal discovers Maya Luthra (Chitrangadha Singh) at an advertising festival in Goa. Arjun Rampal, soon teaches her the traits, tricks and what it takes to be successful in an ad agency as we witness her transformation from a copywriter to a more confident national creative director of the company. But what transpires between the two that Maya accuses Rahul of sexually harassing her forms the crux of the story. Sudhir Mishra cleverly portrays both the sides of the story and leaves you guessing the true side of the story. Who was right? Was Maya really harassed by Rahul? Was Rahul innocent? Is there something else to this turn of events? And what happens when their colleagues are equally confused and forced to take sides?

In terms of screen presence, one can simply not take their eyes off from Chitrangadha. Like always, she not only stands out with her powerful performance but also dazzles the screen with her confidence. As Maya Luthra, she beautifully shows her transformation from a naïve copywriter to a successful career woman. But who truly steals away the show is Arjun Rampal! This is undoubtedly one of Arjun’s finest performances till date. He fits the bill of Rahul Verma to the hilt, is casual, comfortable and it is a treat watching him in the scenes where he is clearing the air and defending himself from the allegations made against him. Arjun Rampal and Chirangadha Singh are two immensely striking and attractive people and as expected their chemistry is worth looking out for. The lead pair is marvelously supported by the supportive actors colleagues and actually make us believe that we’re watching actual office politics transpire on screen. Vipin Sharma in particular is worth a mention as the outspoken and sarcastic colleague. What makes the movie all the more impactful is the soulful music by Shantanu Moitra its supported with. The best part about a Sudhir Mishra movie is that you don’t have the lead pair singing songs and dancing around trees, even if he wants to portray a romantic moment between the pair. There is a song for every situation that plays in the background and creates drama. The movie is being told by Chitrangadha and Arjun as they accuse each other and defend themselves before Mrs Kamdhar (Deepti Naval) and their colleagues in the conference room due to which the screenplay can be a little difficult but nevertheless is impactful.

‘Inkaar’ comes in as a breathe of fresh air, specially since there simply has been no movie that as portrayed human emotions so beautifully along with showing what happens behind the closed doors of your office cabins and conference rooms so well. I only wish that the ending of the movie could’ve been a little edgy rather than opting for the same happy ending cliché. However, if you miss this movie, you’re missing out on not just some intense performances but also a rather gripping story set against a backdrop which has never been chosen in the industry, an advertising agency.

Its 3.5/5 for Inkaar from my side! As I said, you’d be making the biggest mistake by saying an ‘Inkaar’ to ‘Inkaar’. 

How to not get raped: A quick and easy guide for women.

Statutory warning: Don’t read the post if sarcasm is not your cup of tea. I don’t want to go to jail. Thank you.

What is it that Nirbhaya/ Damini/ Amanat/ the Delhi brave heart should’ve done to avoid getting raped? Who would want their daughters, their mothers, sisters, friends or any lady they know to meet such an end? Being a woman myself, I thought it’d be a noble gesture if I list down a set of rules or guidelines as to how they can avoid getting raped, more so I thought I should be a responsible citizen and spread the words of wisdom our leaders have been imparting.

Here’s how you can avoid getting raped:

1) So you’re likely to be raped if obviously for starters, you’re a Mahila and that too a Sundori mahila who is highly dented and painted. You are free to assume or find the exact interpretation of “dented and painted” for Abhijit Mukherjee has withdrawn his statement and rendered 'apoulogy'. So there, you’re likely to be raped if you’re attractive woman. Throw away all the cosmetics I say, you’d not want to entice a man by wearing your favorite lip gloss or mascara. That’s just promiscuous! Theek hai?

2) If you’re a man, don’t listen to Yo Yo Honey Singh. Worse. If you’re a woman, don’t be around a man who listens to Yo Yo Honey Singh. Boycott that New Years Party that has the artist performing or playing his music. You rather step out of the New Year venue, in the middle of the night surrounded by drunk and creepy looking men. At least that way you can be assured that you did your part by stepping out of the vicious, dangerous, menacing and highly provocative music of that Punjabi rapper whose videos have been getting a million hits on Youtube.  Theek hai?

3) Throw away that packet of Chowmein at your place and if you plan a trip to Haryana, you definitely don’t want to be caught eating Chowmein there. Ladies! Stop cooking Chowmein for the men of your house! You’d not want to arouse your brothers, fathers, husbands and uncles, would you? After all, a hormonal imbalance caused due to junk food, specifically chowmein is all it takes to let out the horny beast in a man and find his prey in every woman he passes by! Moral: Stop Chowmein, stop rape! Theek hai?

4) Stay in your limits, lady! And let Kailash Vijayvargiya decide those limits. If mythical Goddess Sita had to pay a price for crossing her limits or the supposed Laxman Rekha, don’t blame a man if he harms you since you clearly did not lock yourself in the house and wait for a man’s order to step out of the Laxman Rekha at your doorstep. Be what the society wants you to be to avoid getting raped, theek hai?

5) Starting living in Bharat and not in India and I shall get back to you when I’m able to decode the statement myself. Theek hai?

Moral: Everything irrelevant like Chowmein, Yo Yo Honey Singh and makeup are the reasons why women are raped. Theek hai?