PLOT: An action thriller based on the 2008 police encounter in Delhi’s Batla House.
MOVIE REVIEW: Batla House is inspired by true incidents, based on the controversial case where the Delhi Police was allegedly accused of a fake encounter. The movie is a fictionalised version of the Operation Batla House, which took place on September 13, 2008 against Indian Mujahideen terrorists in the Batla House locality of Jamia Nagar, New Delhi.
It traces the story, struggle and mental agony of Delhi Police Special Cell team post the encounter of terrorists who were involved in the serial blasts that shocked Delhi in 2008. Many viewers might not be aware of this case and how it led to such a huge controversy at that time. The entire story revolves around the case and will the police be able to defend themselves in this case.
The first half of the film is decent and spent in setting the base for the film. It is quite engaging with some action sequences, the editing could have been crisper here. Post-interval, the audience is engrossed in the narrative. The movie becomes more entertaining, especially the courtroom drama in the climax is clap worthy. The film establishes a documentary feel too with news footage comprising bytes from politicians such as Amar Singh, Arvind Kejriwal and L K Advani who commented on the efficacy of this controversial covert operation.
The whole film has been told from the perspective of Delhi police. Still, in the second half of the film, makers have claimed that this as an unbiased film by running an unwanted disclaimer during one of the scenes involving two parties presenting their sides inside a courtroom.
John Abraham is very impressive as DCP Sanjay Kumar Yadav and he has done a complete justice to his role, the movie only belongs to him. In one of the scene, he takes out a copy of the holy book to prove a terrorist that Islam does not support his line of thinking because the tenets of this religion have no room for the killing of innocents. Like this, he delivers many clap worthy dialogues and given lots of wow moments to his fans.
Mrunal Thakur as Nandita, a journalist and John’s on-screen wife given a good performance than her previous film Super 30. Manish Chaudhary as Police Commissioner Jaivir is decent. Ravi Kishan and Nora Fatehi have short but impactful roles. Rajesh Sharma is very good as the opposition lawyer, he never disappoints you by his presence.
Nikkhil Advani’s direction is stirring, he manages a drama thriller film quite well. Soumik Mukherjee’s cinematography is topnotch, his camera manages to capture the raw and rustic streets of Delhi without any flaw. Music is not so great, except chartbuster O Saki Saki other songs are not so memorable.
Overall Hit ya Flop Rating: 3.1 out of 5
Direction 3/5
Acting 3/5
Dialogues 3/5
Story 3/5
Screenplay 3.5/5
Despite some of the flaws, ‘Batla House‘ is quite gripping and definitely a one-time watch.
