Judgementall Hai Kya Review (4/5): Kangana Ranaut-Rajkummar Rao deliver powerful madcap zany stuff!

What happens when two powerhouse performers like Kangana Ranaut and Rajkummar Rao come together? Expecting a rollercoaster fun ride, right? That is exactly what was delivered in Ekta Kapoor produced film — a splash of amazing acting and a powerful story that audience will walk out remembering. 'Judgementall Hai Kya', a black comedy revolving around two individuals whose lives pivot between reality and illusions, is an intense, admirable and a defining movie for Bollywood.

• Director: Prakash Kovelamudi
• Screenplay by: Kanika Dhillon
• Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Rajkummar Rao, Jimmy Sheirgill, Amyra Dastur, Amrita Puri, Satish Kaushik, Hussain Dalal and Brijendra Kala
• Genre: Thriller, Comedy
• Date released: 26th July, 2019
• IBFC rating: U/A
• Duration: 121 minutes
• Reviewer Rating: 4/5

Setting the Scene

Bobby (played by Kangana Ranaut) who has witnessed a horrific childhood is 20 years later diagnosed with acute psychosis. Bobby Batliwala Agarwal, a dubbing artist is sent to an asylum after she attacks a co-worker (who tries to get cozy with her). What is Bobby's main problem? She easily gets obsessed with the characters she is dubbing for and hears different voices in her head once she starts playing and living the character she dubs for. 

Bobby then meets her new tenants Keshav (played by Rajkummar Rao) and Rima (played by Amyra Dastur) — a young couple who leaves Bobby curious and obsessed with their oh-so-perfect life. Cut to, a murder that leads to a quirky, hilarious, dark and a mad ride that is sure to keep you at the edge of your seat till the end.

Plot

What happens when imagination starts merging with reality? 'Judgementall Hai Kya' is an unconventional and a brilliant story of two individuals who are crazy in their own way. 
Bobby Batliwala who is fond of origami made out of news articles about women being murdered and abused, is a delusional girl whose not-so-mundane routine is disrupted when Keshav enters with his wife (Rima) as her tenant.

'Jab koi haadsa hone wala hota hai, dil silent rehta hai, awaaz pet se aati hai' — Bobby who believes in her gut feeling suspects trouble with the normal couple living next door.

An obsessed-with-Keshav Bobby's life takes a turn after she becomes a part of a murder that leaves both Rajkummar Rao and Kangana Ranaut's characters baffled. The case that is being solved by two policemen (Satish Kaushik and Brijendra Kala) brings in the right mood and comical relief with their humour and sarcasm.

Whose voices do Bobby keep hearing? Her boyfriend Varun (played by Hussain Dalal) who plays her manager-cum-boyfriend, a man who she sees everyday at the crossroad while travelling and a friend she makes at the asylum — three characters that play a major role till the end.

The first half keeps you engaged and the movie breaks with a cliffhanger leaving you with 'what will happen next' feeling!

Story fast-forwards and 2 years later, Bobby moves to London to meet her cousin Megha (played by Amrita Puri) who has suggested her name for a theatre play revolving around 'Futuristic Ramayan' (from the perspective of Sita). In another twist, Bobby meets Keshav yet again and this time her 'pet ki awaaz' is even louder. As Bobby starts practicing and living the role of Sita, she is even more convinced that her gut feeling about Rajkummar Rao is true. An important character is introduced, Shridhar (played by Jimmy Sheirgill) who is the director of the theatre play. 

There are some stunning scenes where Bobby sometimes comes across as Kangana herself and the struggles she goes through in real life — 'Har yug mein Sita pe sawaal utha hai. Kabhi uski soch pe ya kabhi uske sach pe'. It is so beautifully blended that it looks relatable. 'Kaise hui thi shuruat, wahin se niklegi poori baat' — is the real mystery that Kangana Ranaut's character Bobby solves.

Verdict

With some terrific performances and a creative screenplay by Kanika Dhillon, 'Judgementall Hai Kya' is a movie worth watching! Ravi Shrivastava’s production design that sets the right mood, Asha Bhosle's 'Tauba Tauba', remixed in the most beautiful way, Pankaj Kumar's remarkable cinematography, director Prakash Kovelamudi has nailed it in his Bollywood debut 'Judgementall Hai Kya'. An experimental film for Bollywood with a strong social message, this Kangana-Rajkummar movie is a winner!

What works: Kangana Ranaut's character who is a stalker, who is obnoxious and peculiar and inappropriate and relentless, and you might also disliker her but there is an honesty, normalcy, intermittent mercy that comes out for her automatically. On the other hand, Rajkummar Rao's twisted, poised and steady strong character is a treat for the audience.

Supporting cast gives a good support to the story. Each one of them leaves a refreshing and stable mark in the film. The music of the film blends perfectly with the story.

'Judgementall Hai Kya' brings in the dark mood with gritty and strong lighting to create the psychedelic atmosphere, incredible camera work and sound design that keeps the story and vibe intriguing throughout. The dialogues are real and powerful too.

What doesn't work: The second half is a bit dragged and as much as you wait for the climax, it looks a bit over-the-top.

READ | Rajkummar Rao Finally Breaks Silence On Kangana Ranaut's Massive Spat With Journalists, Here's What He Said