B.A. Pass

Ajay Bahl's debut film starts off with brilliantly, and creates an intriguing atmosphere, but ends unsatisfactorily. It's a coming-of-age tale of innocence lost and conscience compromised. What starts off as playful seduction, Mrs. Robinson/ Hanna Schmitz style, spirals into a chain of prostitution, lies and betrayal. Even with an interesting story and well-shot scenes, the screenplay and the lead's (Shadab Kamal) acting failed to properly show the sense of urgency and desperation. Though the film's approach towards themes like poverty struggles, empty marriages, sexual urges and escort systems is commendable, it fails to explore them properly and deeply. Though the movie is well-made, and quite bold (for Hindi Cinema), when the whole ordeal is over, you're left with an odd aftertaste, not sure of what to think.

Though Shadab Kamal looked cute and innocent enough for his role, his acting was little single-pitched. Shilpa Shukla was mesmerizing as the seductress and lady pimp.

Good effort.