‘KAMATHIPURA’ REVIEW | 4 February, 2022

Released this week in Gujarat, Pink Purple Productions’ Kamathipura (A) is the story of two prostitutes of Kamathipura which is the red-light area of Bombay.

Chhavi (Bhawini Gandhi) is a prostitute who has no regrets about her professional choice because she entered it after a stint in the corporate sector. She has only one dear friend, Rani (Khushboo), who is also a prostitute with her.

Chhavi meets a man, Harry (Sharat Lohia), who is like no man she has ever met. They become fond of each other but Chhavi warns him that their association will not be accepted by society.

One day, Rani is brutally raped by three men. Although she ultimately dies, Chhavi takes it upon herself to bring the rapists to book. Does Chhavi succeed in her resolve?

Namneesh Sharma has penned a very predictable and clichéd story and screenplay. There is not even a hint of novelty in the drama. As a result, the only thing the film offers is some titillation. But the emotional quotient is completely missing as the drama fails to touch the heart. His dialogues are below average.

Bhawini Gandhi does a fair job in the role of Chhavi. Khushboo is so-so as Rani. Sharat Lohia does an average job as Harry. Kalyani Thakkar is effective as Binnu Amma. Rajesh Desai is alright as police officer Shinde. Kumar Ashok (as Iqbal), Shailesh (as youth leader Vijay Pandit), Meera Acharya (as Chhavi’s mother), Rajdeep Sikdar (as advocate Mehra), Reem (as Rekha Verma, aunt of Chhavi), Hutoxi Patel (as Kamla Verma, aunt of Chhavi), Paresh Rajpoot (as Subhash Verma, uncle of Chhavi) and the rest provide routine support.

Namneesh Sharma’s direction is much like his script — dull. Rishit Jhaveri and Arnav Roy’s music is functional. Lyrics (by Dilip Rawal, A.B. Mohan and Arnav Roy) are ordinary. Chirag Jhaveri’s choreography is poor. Camerawork (by Raj Khilnani and Rahul Monga) is average. Ilyas Sheikh’s action and stunt scenes are routine. Gautam Rathod’s art direction hardly deserves separate mention. Editing (Sushil Gothankar) leaves something to be desired.

On the whole, Kamathipura is a poor show.