Jal is not meant for the masses. It is for the discerning audience only. It is a drama that is set against the arid conditions of the Rann of Kutch. Jal shows the plight of the people living in Kutch. There is no water for the people, and they desperately search for it.
The story revolves around the search for water, and the emotions of the villagers attached to it. There is a group of researchers who come to Kutch to study the flamingoes. It is a beautiful sight to see these birds in the region. However, their chicks are dying, and something needs to be done. These researchers take the help of the water department and try to dig the land in search of water. However, they are unable to find any water. At this point, Bakka (Purab Kohli) who is a water diviner shows them the spot where they would find water. Some of the researchers are skeptical of his ways of finding water, but eventually they listen to him. It pays off as they actually find water at the spot pointed out by Bakka.
Bakka is successful in predicting water for the flamingoes. However, the problem that the village folk are concerned about is that there is no water for humans. This is a problem that Bakka must solve. There is also the parallel story of Bakka being in love with Kesar (Kirti Kulhari), a girl from the adjoining village. However, the two villages are sworn enemies of each other. Also, there is Kajri (Tannishtha Chatterjee), a girl from Bakka’s village, who is in love with him. Bakka needs the approval of the village headman to marry Kesar. After seeing what Bakka has done to help the researchers find water, an impressed headman agrees to let Bakka marry Kesar.
Now, it is Bakka’s responsibility to find water for humans. Can he do so? Well, Jal has to be watched to find the answer. The extraordinary setting of Jal is something that will stay on with the audience long after you have seen the movie. In the acting department, all the actors excel remarkably, and it is such a treat to watch so many talented actors on screen. Right from the music to the outstanding Kutch backdrop, everything is impressive about this movie. There is a little bit of humor in the midst of all the commotion to find water. The men of the village see the fair-skinned researcher and are immediately attracted towards her. This makes for some humorous dialogues and will surely amuse the audience.
All in all, Jal is an excellent movie, and must not be missed. However, it will not appeal to all, and only the aficionados of good cinema will like it.
What do you think?