Babita Singh Reporting review: Nimisha Sajayan shines, but weak murder mystery holds it back
Babita Singh Reporting review: Nimisha Sajayan shines, but weak murder mystery holds it back
Babita, also known as Baby, is an average Indian woman who navigates workplace and domestic politics. The film's unique aspect is that Baby is a cop, elevated to her position due to unforeseen circumstances. Her compassionate role is constantly mentioned, as her family's death leaves a spot open at the police station. This mirrors her domestic life as a wife and daughter-in-law, who are expected to fill empty roles to keep the family happy.
Director Amita Vyas and writer Ambiecka Pandit effectively capture societal issues through a police procedural, a genre that has flourished in the age of streaming. Set in the small town of Rewa, Baby moves there with her husband, Sharad, for her sister-in-law's wedding. Her focus is divided between domestic duties and the murder of her childhood friend, Bansi, played by Barun Sobti.
The film works best when it focuses on the spikiness within the confined space of the four walls - mother-in-law ruling the household, sister-in-law acting like the entitled aunt, and the husband displaying passive-aggressive behavior. The ensemble cast is solid, with Nimisha Sajayan delivering a wonderful performance as she tries to keep everyone happy, but also checks in on herself. However, the weaknesses of the film cannot be ignored.
The victim is thinly written, leaving us unsure of who he is and why Baby becomes so involved. It is unclear if there was a relationship between the two, or why a confident woman would rush into dangerous situations that are clearly beyond her level. This is where Baby and the film stumble; her attempts at understanding patriarchy and her tentative pushback have more impact than the unraveling of the mystery.
The film may remind viewers of Sandhya Suri's 'Santosh', and Sunita Rajwar's presence, but the small town woman and cop may become tropes if not handled with care.
Sudip Sharma, known for co-producing atmospheric, grounded crime thrillers, has created a promising debut feature. While Pandit's short film 'Under The Waters' impressed, the debut feature lags at times. However, there is no doubt that there is a voice here.
Written by urgent.news from The Indian Express's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
