Panorama Spotlight, 70 MM Talkies, Feather Light Films and KNM Production’s The Song Of Scorpions (UA) is the story of Nooran (Golshifteh Farahani) who administers herbal cure to patients living in her village in Rajasthan, and also sings to cure the patients. She has inherited the art from her mother, Zubaida (Waheeda Rehman). Camel trader Aadam (Irrfan Khan), a married man with children, lusts for Nooran but when she shuns his repeated proposals for marriage, he sends friend Munna (Shashank Arora) to rape her. Nooran is distraught after the rape. To make matters worse, her dear mother deserts her, leaving her all alone in the mad, bad world. Ultimately, Nooran agrees to marry Aadam. Even while she thinks, it is the end of her miseries, Munna reveals to her that her own husband had sent him to rape her before their marriage. Does Nooran seek revenge? If so, how? If not, why does she forgive him?
Anup Singh has penned a story which is very different from the usual stories one sees. Having said that, it must be added that it is meant only and only for the festival circuit audience. His screenplay moves at a snail’s pace, often testing the viewer’s patience. Perhaps, the only plus point of the drama is that it is novel and also quite unpredictable. However, the impact of the freshness is largely diluted because of the excruciatingly slow pace. Anup Singh’s dialogues are real but although the film is certified (strangely) as a Hindi film, most of the dialogues are in a Rajasthani dialect, which further restricts the film’s already very limited appeal.
Golshifteh Farahani looks beautiful and acts naturally as Nooran. Irrfan Khan is realistic in the role of Aadam. Waheeda Rehman lends dignity to the character of Zubaida, with a fine performance. Shashank Arora provides able support as Munna. Tillotama Shome is good as the lady of the night. Sara Arjun (as Ayeesha), Shefali Bhushan (as Shakila), Kritika Pande (as Nooran’s friend, Amina), Bhagwant Kaur (as Badi Ammi) and the others lend the desired support.
Anup Singh’s direction does justice to the script but, like the script, even his narrative style would appeal to a very thin section of the elite audience. Madan Gopal Singh’s music and lyrics are fresh and appealing. Beatrice Thiriet’s background music is effective. Pietro Zuercher’s camerawork is nice but a lot of scenes (in the night) have been shot with minimal lighting, which prompts the audience to strain their eyes to see what’s unfolding on the screen. Rakesh Yadav’s production designing and Mayur Mulam’s art direction are of a fine standard. Marie-Pierre Frappier’s editing is sharp.
On the whole, The Song Of Scorpions is not meant for commercial release as it is predominantly a festival circuit film. Its difficult English title and its Rajasthani dialogues will only further restrict its appeal so that in the final tally, it will fail miserably at the box-office in spite of being a novel attempt.
Released on 28-4-’23 at PVR Lower Parel (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay by Panorama Studios. Publicity & opening: poor. …….Also released all over.