Laaga Chunari Mein Daag - LCMD

LCMD tells a story we have all heard many times before. Prostitution and the reasons for getting into it is not a new subject for Bollywood. At a very basic level, therefore, the story is very predictable. What sets LCMD apart is the subtle and sensitive portrayal of the issue. There are no loud dialogues, no cry for help, no attempt to garner sympathy by shedding excessive tears and no blaming God for one's own actions. The protagonist takes full responsibility for her actions and is aware of the consequences that will follow.

The movie opens in Benaras where a high class but impoverished family is struggling hard to make ends meet. The father (Anupam Kher) has a constant grudge that he doesnt have a son to take care of the financial needs of his family. The mother (Jaya Bachchan) sits at the sewing machine and provides the only source of income that the family has but it is still not enough to get them out of the deplorable conditions they are living in. Chutki (Konkona Sen) is blissfully unaware of the financial crunch that the family is going through and continues with her studies. And Badki, the elder sister (played by Rani Mukherji) is torn between the never ending complaints of her father and the sweat and tears of her mother.

Vowing to her parents and to herself, that she will become the son they never had, Badki reaches Mumbai, the city of dreams, to earn money. She realizes soon enough that with no experience and no degree in hand, she is in for a tough life ahead. She compromises on her morals in the hope of a permanent job but is deceived. Still not willing to give up she decides to play the same game on her terms. She becomes a high-society "escort" called Natasha and finally begins to earn money. She helps with her father's treatment, in the fixing and renovation of her ancestral home in Benaras, and her sister in completing her MBA. All this at the price of her dignity.

Rani Mukherji’s character evolves as the story progresses. She has emoted well, both as Badki and Natasha. Her performance is brilliant. Konkona Sen as the spunky younger sister who openly comes out in support of her elder sister and as a bright and dedicated employee of an Ad Company is also very convincing and refreshing. Kunal Kapoor as Vivaan, the creative director of the Ad Company where Chutki works has given an admirable performance and leaves the viewers asking for more. Abhishek Bachchan as Rohan has not been given much scope to perform but he carries even the limited role he has with panache.

The climax of the film was a bit of a disappointment. It seemed rather abrupt. Another major let-down was the music. Yashraj films are known for their good music and evergreen songs. LCMD does not have a single song that will be remembered even two months from now. Though the music is in pace with the movie, the songs and lyrics do not leave any lasting impression. Cinematography is good. The by-lanes and the ghats of Benaras have been shot beautifully.

In LCMD, Pradeep Sarkar has managed to evoke sympathy of the viewers without getting overly melodramatic. All in all it makes for a worthwhile watch if you don’t mind sitting through a woman-oriented emotional story.