REVIEW
In the times of the pandemic, officer Preksha investigates the murder of a builder Dayanand Pande that leads to the disappearance of an employee who worked in his factory. She has been missing since Pande’s murder and her name is also Preksha.
‘Minus 31: The Nagpur Files‘ is a crime drama about two struggling free-spirit daughters. One is a cop whose work is distracted by her sentiments. The other is a street rapper who wants to get famous overnight.
This is a small-budget film with a different story and clearly a different execution. One can observe that the director Pratik Moitro tried to relate things in the screenplay. Set in a pandemic period, you will watch some careful details like a sanitizer dispenser not working in the police station, and women clanking steels in the society to make corona disappear.
Minus 31 should be considered a female-oriented film due to the fact that both Prekshas scream their identity and existence in a holistic nature of social circumstances. The hip-hop Preksha had not much choice of her own freedom due to her grandfather and couldn’t make out her own way where she was employed.
Inspector Preksha was also less optimistic due to her retired amputated father, and receiving not enough cooperation in solving a crime case that involved politician. That affected her health and was missing her cycle. Her periods were getting delayed. The stress of it was pretty evident. She also had no mother so she expressed her periods problem with her father. This is something unusual, I cannot recollect a memory of watching such instance before. And the scene was not exaggerated but was dramatized as usual so that the makers humbly addressed the audience that in such cases, women can address their problems with their fathers.
The father-daughter chemistry was so natural. Once, the father heavily scolds her over getting suspended and starts complaining her existence. Preksha pushes him and bursts out.
I like the pressing over cleaning the mess on the floor by roomba at a wealthy residence of Dayanand Pande. One’s necessity is other’s luxury. It amazes to those who cannot afford but keep it in the life plans. By the end of the film, you will see a roomba in Preksha’s apartment.
As I mentioned a wealthy residence, there is an interesting shot where Inspector Preksha walks between the horns and at the very same time, Mrs. Pande walks down from the other side. Maybe I am observing way too much but I found that shot attractive.
There was another shot when Inspector Preksha chases down Sandy for a few seconds from the pharmacy. The way it was shot, Pratik Moitro would have made the chase more thrilling if this chase was a one-shot for half-a-minute from Preksha’s angle.
CLOSING REMARKS
It is not coincidence that the two important characters of the film were named Preksha. While trying to solve the case, Preksha found similitude in Preksha and therefore she began to find a purpose. Surprisingly, the film concluded on a high note.
‘Minus 31’ is a heavy thunder but without black clouds. The director’s effort is there and you can see honesty in presenting the story with sharp aesthetics but I feel the story needed more spark. The background score and cinematography is a plus.
But the biggest plus is Rucha Inamdar as Inspector Preksha who deserves the praise for giving us an honest portrayal of a policewoman who is stuck in the line of duty, health, and household. Scuffling with personal predicament, her character looks more relatable and human.
RATING 6.5/10
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Sami Naik | Film Critic 