A model trying to make a few extra rupees on the sidelines by doubling as a bartender at a swinging party is shot at point blank range by a person who is refused a drink. No One Killed Jessica movie review…
Reportedly, over the 300 people were present at the venue of Neno’s and many must have seen this act of wanton criminality. 11 years and a feeble prosecution attempt later, all the accused walked away free on Tuesday, February 21, 2006.
Set in New Delhi, the film No One Killed Jessica is based on the true story of the murder of a part time model Jessica Lall its directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, who had earlier directed the much acclaimed 2008 film Aamir. Vidya Balan plays the character of Jessica’s elder sister, Sabrina Lal and Rani Mukherjee is the TV reporter.
The Saga unfolds with a late-night call to Sabrina Lall (Vidya Balan) waking her up from sleep – and she is told that her sister Jessica Lall was shot on the night of April 29, 1999 at Keno’s a restaurant owned by famed socialite Mallika Sehgal.
The reason why Jessica was shot? Because she had refused to serve a drink to a politician’s son after the bar was closed that night.
Since that fateful night, its more difficult to tell today which has been more shocking – the ramp model’s murder or the sloppy manner in which the alleged killers were sought to be booked. Besides the police had already identified the killer as Manish Bharadwaj, the scion of a former Union Minister, brought alive on screen by Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub. It should have been an open and shut case as the police did identify a few eye witnesses.
In a role call, the witnesses were also summoned up. Yet the case floundered and all the accused were let off for an alleged lack of evidence.
Sabrina wants her sister’s murderer convicted, but she has to go through a long legal battle, face the corrupt system where witnesses are bought, the cops are bribed and even the investigation evidence being distorted upon.
Sabrina is joined in her fight by the journalist Meera who personally takes up the matter. New facts are brought to light by a sting operation, the public is stimulated through a campaign initiated by social activists and the media which snowballs into a nationwide movement that leads to the case being reopened, and finally Manish Bharadwaj gets a life sentence.
Vidya Balan underplays the character of Sabrina in No One Killed Jessica, letting the silence speak instead and sparkles in a scene where she releases her pent-up emotions through anger. Rani Mukherjee as the foul-mouthed, bold and a strong willed journalist is fine, except those over-acted moments. Myra, who plays Jessica, appears intermittently in flashback sequences, and she is just very natural. The frustrated upright police officer (Rajesh Sharma) and the politician, Jessica’s parents all are just perfect.
Director Rajkumar Gupta takes some cinematic liberties like in the characterization of journalist Meera Gaity and the police officer investigating the case. Rani Mukherjee as the feisty journalist is too loud at times. No One Killed Jessica is a compelling, dramatic film.
Cast of No One Killed Jessica:
Vidya Balan as Sabrina Lall
Rani Mukherjee as Meera Gaity
Neil Bhoopalam as Vikram Jai Singh
Myra Karn as Jessica Lall
Rajesh Sharma as N.K.
Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub as Manish Bharadwaj
Bubbles Sabharwal as Mallika Sehgal
Yogendra Tikku as Sanjit Lall
Geeta Sudan as June Lall
Shireesh Sharma as Pramod Bharadwaj
Samara Chopra as Naina Sehgal
CREW & CREDITS of No One Killed Jessica:
Presented by UTV Spotboy
Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta
Produced by Ronnie Screwvala
Co-Producers- Zarina Mehta, Deven Khote, Siddharth Roy Kapur
Creative Producer – Vikas Bahl
Associate Producer – Ruicha Pathak, Manish Hariprasad
Screenplay & Dialogues – Raj Kumar Gupta
Director of Photography – Anay Goswamy
Music & Background – Amit Trivedi
Lyrics – Amitabh Bhattacharya
Editor – Aarti Bajaj
Sound Design – Sanjay Maurya, Allwyn Rego
Production Designer – Sukant Panigrahy
Costume Design – Sabyasachi Mukherjee
No One Killed Jessica, movie review