Mulk

A large family in Varanasi. They have lived for years in the same neighbourhood with the same neighbours. The youngest son takes part in a bombing and is killed. What follows concerns the family itself: the neighbourhood pulls away, a case is opened, and the father, Murad Ali, is tried on the claim that he knew. The person defending the family in court is his daughter in law Aarti, a Hindu and a lawyer. Anubhav Sinha writes and directs. Rishi Kapoor plays Murad Ali and Taapsee Pannu plays Aarti, with Ashutosh Rana as the prosecutor. Most of the film takes place in the courtroom, and what is argued is not the crime but a family being made defendants as a whole because of the community they belong to. Anubhav Sinha had been a director of commercial films; this marks his turn to social subjects, and several films on similar themes followed. Rishi Kapoor, late in a long career, was talked about again as a serious actor on the strength of this part. Its weakness is its directness; the characters at times read statements rather than speak, and the closing address is openly aimed at the audience. Who it is for: viewers who follow Indian social drama and courtroom film. Who it is not for: the thesis weighs heavily, the opposing side is not built strongly enough, and the narrative keeps the emotional pressure high.