Review : ‘Kooki’ compels introspection around rape victims!

Rape is a fourth most common crime against women in India. Despite stringent laws, the number of rape cases have been on the rise. Though culprits are booked and sentenced to jail, the psychological aftermath of rape victims is seldom discussed. We as a society should imbibe the importance of respecting women, so the rapes are diminished. A new movie ‘Kooki’ compels introspection around rape focusing not only on the justice imparted but the emotional turmoil of the rape victims.

 

Kooki, (Ritisha Khaund), a 16 year old young girl studying in a school in Assam is leading a normal life just like any other teenager. Her heart flutters for a young guy Saptarishi (Bodhisattva Sharms) and both start dating with the help of her best friend Rashmi (Nancy Singh). But once waiting for Saptarishi, a group of youngsters abducts her and gang rapes her. Her father Dhananjay Mishra (Rajesh Tailang) along with the entire family is devastated. SP Mandira Singh (Dipannita Sharma), Dr Priyadarshini Pator (Ritu Shivpuri) and a journalist Navnita (Devoleena Bhattacharjee) help her case seek justice. What transpires around it forms the crux of the story.

 

Kooki doesn’t stop at legal triumph but goes beyond by discussing the trauma of the rape victim. The script raises questions like ‘why rape isn’t considered heinous than murder?’. Though the heart of the writer, director is in place Pranab J Deka is unable to encash the point in hand. Certain aspects are underdeveloped making the film patchy. Music is reasonably good and the cinematography too is good. Ritisha Khaund does justice to her character and is a perfect casting. She displays versatility by offering array of emotions as per the demand of the situations. Rajesh Tailang offers steady performance. Dipannita Sharma, Ritu Shivpuri and Devoleena Bhattacharjee offer good support with their effotless performances. Others are good too.

 

Despite some flaws in the execution Kooki is able to start conversation around psychological aspects of rape victims.

 

Rating : ***

 

By Keerti Kadam