Cast: Vidya Balan, Rani Mukerji, Neil Bhoopalam, Myra, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayub
Director: Rajkumar Gupta
Director: Rajkumar Gupta
'No One Killed Jessica' is a movie based on true story of a crude murder of a pretty and socialite girl in Delhi by a power hungry neo rich youth on the one hand, and that of an equally determined young sister struggling to get justice, on the other. And, film director Raj Kumar Gupta of the 'Aamir' fame leaves no stone unturned to portray the event as emotionally as possible with the help of his screenplay and dialogues aided by excellent performances of the main as well as the supporting cast. Hence, the movie deserves a watch.
The movie begins with Rani Mukherji playing the character of Meera Geyti talking about Delhiites' boast of their being above the law. You may remember that this is Rani's kind of a comeback movie after her flop 'Dil Bole Hadappa'. With this, she regains her status in the industry. Here, she plays a TV journalist who had covered the Indo-Pak Kargil war, but considers the Jessica Lall's brutal murder as a closed case. On second thought, she decides to bring the culprits to justice, and starts working on it.
As said above, model Jessica Lall while working in a chic night club in south Delhi is killed by a power-driven young son of a politician. Her fault is that as bartender she refuses to give Manish played by Mohammed Zeeshan Ayub a drink. In anger he shoots her at point-blank. She succumbs while being taken to a hospital. So, her sister Sabrina Lall decides to seek justice; she struggles hard in society which reflects contemporary Indian scenario where the law is full of loopholes and just unfavorable for commoners. But, Vidya Balan in the character of Jessica's sister Sabrina Lall, continues her fight . Luckily for her, Meera Gaity (Rani) as a determined journalist comes to her help. So also the people through their constant movement help her; they lead a candle light march at India Gate to open the eyes of the authorities.
The cast comprising top stars likes of Rani Mukherjee and Vidya Balan shoulder the movie. Both enter into the skins of their characters. Rani's performance is considered the best ever so far, and Vidya Balan's isn't far behind. In fact, she plays the major role as Sabrina Lall. She reflects a commoner's courageous struggle for survival against all kinds of odds in the metros of India. The same way, Rajesh Sharma as a cop fares brilliantly. He pursues odd roles inasmuch as he takes bribe to take care of a politician's son while in the police custody and also helps the opposite party in their just cause.
The movie has weak points too; it's repetitive at times and lacks tight editing and the consequently bores at some places. However, the same is remedied to a great extent by the cast's brilliant performance, the cinematographer's equally poignant portrayal of the capital and more importantly Amit Trivedi's music, especially his Dilli Dilli and Aali Re songs.
Significantly, the movie is a lesson for commoners to fight for their rights until they get justice as it can be delayed but not denied for long. The movie's story proves it beyond doubt.