Jalpari-The Desert Mermaid Review

JALPARI: THE DESERT MERMAID is a Hindi feature film which released on 31st August, 2012. This film has been made by the same person ( Nila Madhab Panda ) who had made I AM KALAM. It is a film for children but it is equally made for grown ups. In fact it is more for grown ups than children despite there is child artist in its lead role. It stars Lehar Khan, Krishang Trivedi, Harsh Mayar, Parvin Dabas, Suhasini Mulay, Tannishtha Chatterjee etc. It has been produced by Sushil Kumar Agarwal under the banner of Ultra Distributors Pvt. Ltd. Read the review below to know whether you should watch it or not.

Story : It is the story of Shreya (Lehar Khan) who coaxes he father Dev (Parvin Dabas) who is a widower, to take her to his ancestral village. This village is in Haryana. But her father is not comfortable in taking her to his ancestral village. But when she requests and pesters him to do so he has no option left and he has to take her along with his son Sam (Krishang Trivedi) and their granny (Suhasini Mulay). When Shreya reaches that village, she discovers a frightful mystery which makes her think why her father kept them away from that village for so many years and why he was not keen to visit that village. This village has very few girls in comparison to boys. There is a reason for it! There is also the champion boxer (considering that Haryana has thrown up most of India's ring heroes!).

There is also a mysterious lake and it is said that a witch roams there. So no one of that village dares to go near the lake. But Shreya does something different which no one had done till now. She loves swimming and plunges into the lake only to discover what actually happens by the lakeside.

What is the mystery? Why her father didn't want them to go to that village? Such queries are answered in the remaining part of the film.

Performance : Krishang Trivedi is also good. Suhasini Mulay is okay. But Lehar Khan is excellent. Parvin Dabas is also good.

Script : Story & Screenplay by Deepak Venkateshan is good and powerful. Dialogues are also up to the mark.

Music : Music by Midival Punditz and Ashish Chauhan is up to the mark.

Editor : Editing by Apurva Asrani is good.

Cinematography : Its DOP is Savita Singh and she has done good job.

Overall Review : This movie raises a social issue - an issue of female foeticide which is largely prevalent in our society. This film shows why some villages in our country have very less number of girls in comparison to the numbers of boys. There is adventure shown in it.

Direction : The director hasn't done everything perfectly, yet he manages to win your heart with what he offers you on the screen. Even when you leave the theatre, its effect remains in your mind. The work taken by child artists is admirable. Without any big star he has managed to deliver good product. His style of storytelling is good.

Conclusion : This is a good and meaningful film for our society. It contains good message which allows you to think!

Box Office Prediction : Since it is a non commercial film, it may not earn big revenues. But it's making cost is low hence it should earn some revenue. Such films should be declared tax free.

Verdict : If you want to watch film with social message it is for you.