A gripping courtroom drama, Ajay Bahl’s Section 375 revolves around the alleged rape of a costume assistant, from an underprivileged background, by a famous director. While the social media and public at large have already passed their judgment on the accused, the legal battle is still to be played out in the court. We take a closer look at it in the Section 375 film review.
Right from the get-go, Tarun Saluja played by Akshaye Khanna is shown to defend high profile clients. This time he is pitted against a feisty public prosecutor in Hiral Gandhi portrayed by Richa Chadda who at one time was working in his chamber. Rahul Bhat essays the role of director Rohan Khurana accused of raping Anjali Dangle played by Meera Chopra who works as a costume assistant on his sets.
Apart from these four prominent actors, several other smaller roles add to the film’s charisma. Notable among them are Tarun’s wife played by Sandhya Mridul and Kruttika Desai who plays the judge.
Any doubts over the movie being a gripping courtroom drama dissipate in the first half-hour. The film explores several facets of the case, and Ajay Bahl never swerves toward any particular side. The robust narrative keeps the audience guessing right till the end, and as such, the story moves at a brisk pace.
There are few distractions, and by and large, the film focuses on the case that seems to have piqued everyone’s curiosity. Crowds gather outside the court and protest vehemently seeking justice for the victim. While the viewer is continuously kept guessing as to the outcome of the case, the tightly knit screenplay and taut editing always have you on the edge of your seat.
The only time the movie falters is when the focus shifts from inside the courtroom to the outside where hordes of protestors are depicted shouting slogans and clashing with the cops, which
There are engaging subplots like that between Tarun and his wife, who tries to dissuade him from taking the case. Also, Section 375 depicts the contrasting lifestyles of the wealthy lawyers and directors to that of the victim hailing from the lower class.
The movie draws on the #MeToo movement that saw many women come forth and declare that prominent personalities violated them. Not all cases got equal publicity, but the one common strand was the intense manner in which the general public took to it and the vital role played by the media.
With no side-taking, Ajay Bahl leaves plenty of room for the viewers to decide which side of the fence they are and why do they feel one way or the other. In that, the movie will generate debate over a pertinent issue.
There is much to like about the movie. From the consistent performances of the cast to how Ajay Bahl keeps the audience on tenterhooks to the sharp dialogues, and above all the impartiality displayed in making a movie based on a controversial topic make Section 375 a rewarding watch.
Section 375 might be the most topical and well-made movie to come out from the Bollywood stables this year so far.
Section 375 film review rates Section 375 
(3.5 / 5)
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