Kalank has been one of the most awaited Bollywood films of 2019. Adding to its glamour and glitz, is the ensemble star cast of talented actors like Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, Aditya Roy Kapur, Sanjay Dutt, Sonakshi Sinha and Madhuri Dixit.
A lot of hue and cry surrounding the film has already been created, with the actors constantly giving simultaneous updates to their followers through various social media platforms.
With the recent teaser release of the film, the excitement levels have only multiplied.
The countdown to the teaser release itself was highly dramatized and instilled curiosity among the audience. Character reveals only added to the drama.
While the teaser is intriguing and leaves the viewer wanting more, it looks rather familiar. Personally, I felt like the Kalank teaser was a crossover between Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Karan Johar, where Padmaavat meets K3G.
Is KJo the new SLB?
Undoubtedly, if both Karan Johar and Sanjay Leela Bhansali share an element of commonality in their films, it’s the level of drama.
From the theatrics, dramatizations, lingering dialogue delivery to elaborate settings and a high emotional quotient.
However, they do differ in terms of story lines, costumes and the level of relatability their movies have with the audience.
Kalank looks like Padmavat and K3G had a baby. Based on what the teaser gives away, it is safe to say that Karan Johar has attempted a Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
He has outdone himself in terms of the set, costumes, dialogues and the overall vibe of the film. Both Bhansali and Johar even share a love of grand dance routines.
Kalank will perhaps remind you of many of Bhansali’s movies like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas, Padmavat and Ramleela among others.
Here’s why we think so:
The Set
Right from the opening shot of the teaser, one can easily gauge that the set is massive. It’s reminiscent to that of Bajirao Mastani, Padmavat and Ramleela.
With its intricate chandeliers, deep blue skies, a million flights of stairs, pillared halls dotting massive havelis and water bodies amidst residential complexes.
The set looks like it’s far from reality and closer to Bhansali’s imagination.
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Scenes here and there
In one of the scenes, one can see Alia Bhatt running with a kite in her hand, through a desert like landscape. That takes me back to Aishwarya Rai’s opening scene in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam.
The costumes and jewelry
Both, the costumes and jewelry worn by the entire cast of Kalank, reek of Bhansali. The Sabyasachi like nose rings, maang tikas and accessories for men look like they’re straight out of Bajirao Mastani.
While Madhuri Dixit looks like an older, more refined version of Chandramukhi from Devdas, Alia Bhatt gives glimpses of Deepika Padukone.
The Dance sequences
It is perhaps the dance sequences that are the perfect example of the Bhansali-johar amalgamation. They are big, bold and superbly coordinated. One of the dance sequences gave us crazy ‘Ghoomar’ vibes.
The K3G setting
There are many instances in the teaser, when you’d be reminded of K3G. The European looking gates, which parallel the Raichand House, a lonesome (either Dhawan or Roy Kapur) standing in a grim room much like AB in a scene from K3G and Madhuri Dixit’s entry from the gates in a way that takes us back to Jaya Bhacchan’s welcome of Shah Rukh.
Interestingly, some of the photos from the teaser launch resemble the poster for Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.
One of the most peculiar things that I noticed in the teaser was that no one was happy or smiling in even one shot! They were all morose and looked perpetually worried.
After over analyzing the trailer, I can say for sure that while the movie gives us major Bhansali feels, it looks like a Dharma blockbuster.
Image Source: Google Images, Kalank Teaser
Find the blogger at @janhaviiisharma
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