If you must watch this film, watch it for Juhi Chawla’s inspired performance; it’s the only bright spot in Gulaab Gang. Muddled and forgettable.

From its opening frame you discover that in its supposed feminist garb, ‘Gulab Gang’ is actually the old-style good vs evil story, styled in the tired way these films have been for the longest time. Its chief baddie is, ta da, a woman.

For a real dose of women empowerment, watch Gulabi Gang, a terrific documentary on Sampat Pal, which is still running in select theaters.

Visually the film is seductive – pink saris in sepia dehaat — but its message is scary. While I had severe problems with its glorification of vigilante justice, there were a few moments when I was both thrilled and moved. I am ashamed.

The confrontations between Rajjo and Sumitra Devi should have been impactful, with the resounding echo when two strong personalities clash. Sadly, they don’t.

These are major drawbacks that bring down a potentially good film.

Madhuri Dixit is a fantastic actor and the role of a strong minded rural woman who is willing to fight for her rights is not beyond her. Do watch her in Mrityudand and you’ll know what I mean. Here, she is saddled with a flawed script; something that she is not able to rise above. Meanwhile, you could watch this movie for Juhi Chawla. She is a revelation and we really hope the film industry takes notice!

The film’s much-touted feminism seems especially counterfeit when a ruffian is forced by members of the gang to drape a sari and perform an impromptu dance, the implication being that, for a man, there can be no humiliation worse than that. Women who weave their own pink saris and are determined to put all pigs in their place, even if they are in the make-believe world of Gulaab Gang, should be the last people to enforce a stereotype that Hindi films have perpetuated for decades.

The film has a seen-that feel. Haven’t there been enough films about rape, corruption, poverty and drama with villains, cops and politicians. Except that this time, it is a woman unleashing the hell and another women slicing and dicing the culprits. The song and dance in a film like this, was it really necessary? It could have become a memorable film like Mirchi and Mrityudand but in trying to be commercial, the film loses it’s flavour.

This venture by Soumik Sen is a damp squib. If you want to know anything about Pal or the Gulabi gang, check out Nishtha Jain’s documentary that released recently.

Much was expected from this GULAAB GANG, but it falls flat right from the beginning. Poor writing and weak screenplay let the film down terribly. Add to it some over-the-top acting. All these are major hurdles that never allow the film a decent, seamless flow.

Gulaab Gang might look like a feminist film but unfortunately, it is anything but one…Debutant director Soumik Sen would have been better off making a masala film where a male hero beats up dozens of villain?s cronies and everyone goes home happy. That way, there wouldn’t be any false expectations. This one is as fake as a pink elephant.

…is a half baked attempt to present a gritty action drama. A movie which wastes potential of two brilliant actresses.

One doesn’t know whether to call it a flaw, but the film’s antagonist is far stronger than its protagonist. The character is superbly etched even if bordering on caricature, has the best dialogue and is incredibly performed by Juhi Chawla. Of course, since she is a politician, every other dialogue begins with Politics mein…. But Chawla makes this character the most entertaining and immersing part of the movie.

It may seem like a good idea on paper – former stars locking horns, one of them performing somersaults, and a superficial angle about women’s rights thrown in, but its execution makes Gulaab Gang a difficult film to sit through. Unless you fancy the idea of watching Dixit play Salman Khan and Chawla channel Prakash Raj, you’ll find Gulaab Gang a crashing bore.