Ans. I just finished watching “Kalank,” a grand period drama that promised a sweeping love story set against the backdrop of royalty. The initial promos were enchanting, showcasing stunning sets and opulent costumes that promised a visual feast. The movie revolves around a forbidden love affair between a married woman and a man who is not her husband, set in the pre-independence era of India.

The first act did deliver on that promise. The director brilliantly recreated the grandeur of the era, transporting you to a bygone world of glittering palaces and lavish ceremonies. The lead actress shone brightly, portraying the spirited dancer with a captivating innocence. The hero, a charming businessman, had a good amount of screen presence, and their initial interactions sparked with a delightful innocence. But alas, this was not to last.

However, the magic quickly faded after the interval. The plot meandered through predictable political machinations and tiresome misunderstandings. The supporting characters, initially intriguing, turned into one-dimensional caricatures. The supposed epic romance devolved into repetitive songs, with the same tune and dance sequence used multiple times, and melodramatic confrontations, with characters shouting the same lines over and over again.

The biggest letdown was the complete lack of depth in the characters. Historical dramas offer a rich canvas to explore themes of power, duty, and societal change, but “Kalank” squandered this potential entirely. The villains were mustache-twirling caricatures, and the supposed “sacrifices” felt unearned and hollow. The lead characters, who initially showed promise, lacked any significant growth or development, leaving the audience disconnected and uninvested.

Ultimately, ‘Kalank’ felt like a beautiful box with an empty interior. It had all the glitter and spectacle but lacked a compelling story or well-developed characters. It’s a regrettable missed opportunity, as it could have been a truly memorable film with a tighter script and a deeper exploration of its themes.