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Explore our review to uncover why the movie titled "Lantrani" featuring Jitendra Kumar, Johnny Lever, and other cast members rightfully warrants your attention.
Lantrani Movie Review Rating:
Star Cast: Johnny Lever, Jisshu Sengupta, Boloram Das, Jitendra Kumar, Nimisha Sajayan
Director: Kaushik Ganguly, Bhaskar Hazarika, Gurvinder Singh
What’s Good: The ‘mitti ki khushboo’ from the rural stories comes straight out of a simplistic tell-a-tale format that will leave you as content as a heartfelt conversation.
What’s Bad: Probably the befikri at certain points or getting carried away to keep it too simple.
Loo Break: It’s your digital space, but be assured, you would not want to have any break while watching this one.
Watch or Not?: A definitive, Yes!
Language: Hindi
Available On: Zee5
Runtime: 162 Minutes
During the period of lockdown, anthology films gained immense popularity. For those who may have missed it, anthologies became prevalent during the pandemic, with numerous films comprising a collection of short stories released on various OTT platforms. However, there are both positives and negatives associated with such films. On the positive side, viewers have the option to skip segments they don't enjoy. On the downside, there's a sense of disappointment when a mix of good and bad stories is presented. So, where does "Lantrani," consisting of three stories, fit into this spectrum? Well, stick with us, and you'll be in for a surprise.
Initially, "Lantrani" didn't generate much buzz, leading us to consider skipping it altogether. However, sometimes, the most exceptional experiences come in the simplest packages, and disregarding them could be a mistake. This was a realization we almost missed. Yet, this film demands your time and attention for two fundamental reasons: firstly, for its straightforward narrative approach, and secondly, for its realistic portrayal.
Script Analysis of Lantrani
Durgesh Singh, known for his work in the acclaimed series "Gullak," ventures into scriptwriting with three poignant stories about life in "Lantrani." Each story is grounded in reality, depicting the struggles, behaviors, efforts, and resolutions of the common man.
The first story, "Hud Hud Dabangg," features Johnny Lever and Jisshu Sengupta. Lever portrays an underachieving cop who experiences a transformative day when he's tasked with heading the local police station. His mission: to present a criminal, played by Sengupta, in court. The film delves into whether a criminal and justice can coexist and explores the underdog's journey to his greatest achievement.
The second story, "Sanitized Samachar," takes a satirical look at the media landscape. Led by Boloram Das, this film, while slightly weaker than the first, deserves recognition for its effort in delivering a thought-provoking narrative without preaching. It follows a group of hustlers striving to save their news channel by any means necessary, even resorting to producing a paid bulletin. In a world where job security is paramount, their actions resonate with audiences facing similar challenges during the pandemic. The story raises questions about morality and the lengths people will go to protect their livelihoods.
The concluding tale, spearheaded by Jitendra Kumar, Rajesh Awasthi, and Nimisha Sajayan, bears the title "Dharna Mana Hai." It follows the journey of a low-caste woman who ascends to the position of Sarpanch and bravely asserts her rights in a village dominated by upper castes. When faced with adversity, she decides to stage a dharna in front of the District Development Office Of Beripur. Providing unwavering support is her husband, portrayed by the remarkable Jitendra Kumar. While the story has its ups and downs, it succeeds in delivering a satirical narrative that leaves viewers admiring the characters' resilience and determination.
Lantrani Movie Review: Stellar Performances
Let's delve into the acting prowess showcased in each segment of the film. Beginning with "Hud Hud Dabangg," have you ever imagined Johnny Lever captivating you with his serious demeanor? Well, this film achieves just that. Lever, known for his comedic roles, delivers a masterful performance that transitions seamlessly from portraying an underachiever to evoking genuine admiration for his character's depth. His versatility in this role deserves applause, reminding audiences of his brilliance as a performer.
In a surprising turn, Jisshu Sengupta, despite having only a handful of dialogues, demonstrates why his acting prowess transcends the need for words. Through his poignant expressions, Sengupta effectively communicates his character's emotions, drawing viewers into his narrative from the moment he appears on screen. His ability to convey depth and complexity through subtle gestures is truly commendable, earning him respect and admiration.
Moving on to "Sanitized Samachar," the ensemble cast delivers commendable performances, each contributing to the cohesive storytelling with their individual strengths. From Boloram Das to Preeti Hansraj Sharma and Romita Sarkar to Aditya Pandey, every actor shines in their respective roles, adding depth and authenticity to the narrative.
In "Dharna Mana Hai," Jitendra Kumar delivers a compelling performance despite playing a supporting role. His nuanced portrayal captivates alongside Nimisha Sajayan, whose silent yet powerful performance leaves a lasting impression. Together, they anchor the social satire with remarkable poise, keeping viewers engaged till the very end.
Lantrani Movie Review: Direction and Musical Score
Directed by Kaushik Ganguly, "Hud Hud Dabangg" effectively establishes the realistic tone that sets the stage for the following stories. However, "Sanitized Samachar," helmed by Bhaskar Hazarika, falls short in terms of both writing and direction, resulting in a weaker segment that feels somewhat out of place within the anthology. Following this is "Dharna Mana Hai," directed by Gurvinder Singh, which maintains a similar tone and treatment as the preceding stories. Despite each director presenting a different tale from rural India, there's a noticeable coherence in the overall tone and approach, making the three segments feel cohesive and interconnected.
Achieving such synchronization in an anthology is no small feat, and credit is due to the directors for their efforts in seamlessly weaving together distinct narratives under a unified theme. This cohesion doesn't come across as mere coincidence but rather as a deliberate and well-executed endeavor to create a unified storytelling experience.
On the musical front, the soundtrack for all three films leaves much to be desired.
Particularly in "Sanitized Samachar," Hazarika's song "Jogi" feels somewhat out of place, failing to complement the narrative effectively. Music has the potential to enhance the viewing experience significantly, but unfortunately, it falls short in this aspect, lacking the depth and impact needed to elevate the stories to a higher level.
Lantrani Movie Review: Final Verdict
The title "Lantrani" itself encapsulates the essence of the film – something irrelevant or perhaps meaningless chatter. It's a stroke of brilliance that deserves applause. As the three stories delve into a simple yet profound question – Is life about habit or courage? – explored by Johnny Lever and Jisshu Sengupta in the first film, Lantrani is a cinematic journey that demands your attention and promises not to disappoint.
Rating: 3.5 stars. (An extra 0.5 for the commendable effort!)
Lantrani Trailer
Lantrani was released on 09 February, 2024 and is streaming on Zee 5.
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