Common Sense Media Review
By Stefan Pape
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Hindi thriller studies corruption, has graphic hit-and-run.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Jalsa
What's the Story?
JALSA tells the story of high-flying journalist Maya Menon (Vidya Balan) who becomes embroiled in a web of deceit following a hit-and-run car accident. Maya has made a career for herself uncovering the truth, and yet right now it's the truth that is her biggest adversary.
Is It Any Good?
This compelling, hypothetical Hindi thriller should be commended for its ability to force its viewer's to look at their own moral compass. Jalsa asks big questions about what you would do in its central characters' positions. It's a narrative that veers into melodrama, and could seem overly cinematic and absurd in the wrong hands. But director Suresh Triveni manages to avoid these pitfalls, all the while ensuring that the film doesn't hold back on its dramatic tendencies.
It's also helped along by brilliantly naturalistic turns from the two lead actors Balan and Shefali Shah, as Maya and Ruksana respectively. The pair maintain an impressive balancing act as a myriad of themes are explored, including class and systematic corruption. This is an accessible, entertaining slice of contemporary international cinema that should play well around the world.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Jalsa explores themes of class and corruption. What do you think the filmmakers are trying to say about them? Although the movie is set in India, do you think these messages are universal?
Discuss the character of Maya. What should she have done? How did she try and rectify the situation?
One of the key supporting roles is that of a child with disabilities. How was he portrayed? Why is representation important?
If Hindi is not a language you speak, how did you find the subtitles? Were they distracting or did you get used to them quickly? Has it inspired you to seek out other non-English movies?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : March 18, 2022
- Cast : Vidya Balan , Shefali Shah , Iqbal Khan
- Director : Suresh Triveni
- Studio : Prime Video
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 126 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : March 23, 2022
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