Kooki Film Review: An Unflinching Look at Rape’s Lingering Trauma and the Quest for True Justice

🙃🙃🙃½ (3.5 out of 5)

Now, here’s a Bollywood flick that tries to ask the big questions, but ends up getting tangled in its own shoelaces. Welcome to the house of cinema, where we serve a piping hot plate of ‘Kooki’. Buckle up, folks, because Review Rani is taking the reins for this ride.

So, here’s the gist. Our eponymous heroine, Kooki (played by Ritisha Khaund), is a sweet 16-year-old who has her world turned upside down by a savage gang rape. But don’t you worry, swift justice is delivered. Ah, but the plot thickens. Kooki, still grappling with the aftermath, poses a question that will have you reaching for your philosophy textbooks: why is murder considered worse than rape?

Now, I know what you’re thinking. Bollywood and rape? Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. But wait, ‘Kooki’ decides to take a detour from the usual courtroom drama or investigation plotline. Instead, it decides to throw a spotlight on the enduring scars left on a survivor’s psyche. It paints a picture of Kooki’s life before and after the incident, and let me tell you, it’s not a pretty sight.

Kooki’s world before the tragedy is familiar territory. Loving parents, a best friend, and a budding romance, all the ingredients for teenage bliss. Then, post-assault, we flip the switch to the emotional and psychological turmoil that ensues. It’s a stark shift and the movie does make a valiant attempt to critique a nation that has had many amendments but still trips over its own feet when it comes to protecting its women.

Our director, Pranab J Deka, dishes out a narrative that keeps you glued to your seat. However, the exploration of Kooki’s PTSD and the central question of the film arrive a little too late in the game, leaving some aspects feeling like half-baked cookies.

The film does manage to beautifully capture the essence of Assam, and the cinematography by Gyan Gautam is truly a sight for sore eyes. As for the performances, Ritisha Khaund gives a commendable act as Kooki, and Rajesh Tailang as her lawyer father delivers a performance that will leave you speechless. However, some inconsistencies in their characters can’t quite escape the eagle eye of yours truly, Review Rani.

Despite its missteps, ‘Kooki’ does manage to stir the pot and make you think. It urges the viewers to understand that justice isn’t always healing, and the fight for true safety is far from over.

Rani’s Rib-tickler Wrap-Up: So, if you’re in the mood for a film that takes a deep dive into grim social issues but occasionally trips on its own feet, ‘Kooki’ is your pick. Just remember, don’t go expecting a gourmet meal, it’s more of a takeout kind of night.