The India Story REVIEW: Kajal Aggarwal, Shreyas Talpade’s Flat Screenplay Undermines Its Message

Film:
The India Story

Director: Cheytan K 

Writer: Sagar B Shinde 

Cast: Kajal Aggarwal, Shreyas Talpade, Manish Wadhwa, Murli Sharma, Atul Tiwari

Platform: In Theatres

Runtime: 2 hours 10 minutes

The India Story Review

Inspired by real-life incidents, The India Story – Slow Poison In Progress, tackles an important issue, the devastating impact of pesticide-heavy farming and chemical misuse on public health. Drawing from the haunting reality of Punjab’s Cancer Train, the film attempts to blend social commentary, emotional drama and courtroom proceedings into a hard-hitting narrative. While its intention is commendable, the execution falls short, resulting in a film that struggles to leave the impact it aims for.

The story follows Major Yogesh Patil (Shreyas Talpade), an ex-Army officer whose world crumbles after his young daughter is diagnosed with cancer. His search for answers leads him to uncover the disturbing connection between excessive pesticide use and the growing number of cancer cases across India. His wife, Advocate Archana Patil (Kajal Aggarwal), takes the legal route, fighting against influential forces with scientific evidence and facts. Despite a premise loaded with emotional and social weight, the storytelling never fully grips the audience.

What Works

The India Story deserves credit for bringing attention to a serious and often overlooked issue. The subject is relevant, timely and backed by real-life inspiration, making it thought-provoking. A few emotional moments involving Yogesh’s family strike the right chord, and the courtroom sequences occasionally show promise. Its sincerity in delivering its message is evident throughout.

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What Doesn’t Work

The biggest drawback is the screenplay, which remains flat and predictable. Despite the urgency of its subject, the narrative lacks momentum and emotional depth. Several scenes feel repetitive, while the courtroom drama never reaches the intensity it promises. The courtroom drama often resorts to lengthy dialogues instead of letting emotions unfold naturally. The pacing is uneven, making the nearly two-hour runtime feel longer than it is. Characters beyond the central family are underdeveloped, reducing the overall impact of the conflict.

Technical Analysis

Director Chetan DK deserves appreciation for choosing an important subject, but the storytelling lacks the sharpness needed for such a sensitive issue. The cinematography effectively captures the rural setting, while the background score supports the emotional moments without standing out. Editing, however, is inconsistent, with several scenes overstaying their welcome. A tighter screenplay and crisper pacing could have made the film far more engaging.

Star Performances

Kajal Aggarwal as Advocate Archana Patil delivers a sincere performance and carries herself well in the courtroom scenes. However, the screenplay doesn’t give her enough powerful moments to truly shine.

Shreyas Talpade as Major Yogesh Patil brings restraint to his role. His portrayal of a helpless father is convincing, but even his performance cannot overcome the film’s sluggish narrative. 

Trisha Sarda as Pari, the young actor playing Yogesh’s daughter delivers an innocent and heartfelt performance, adding emotional weight to several scenes.

Manish Wadhwa as the opponent advocate in the courtroom drama lends credibility to his character, though his role lacks enough depth to leave a lasting impression.

Murli Sharma as IP Vijay Rathod is dependable as always, but his character feels underutilised in the storyline despite having an important role in the investigation.

Atul Tiwari as the High Court jury performs his part effectively, bringing balance and authority to the courtroom proceedings. 

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Conclusion

The India Story is backed by an important message that deserves attention, but good intentions alone aren’t enough when you can’t present it well. A flat screenplay, uneven pacing and lack of emotional intensity prevent the film from becoming the powerful social drama it aspires to be. While the performances remain sincere and the subject is undeniably relevant, the storytelling fails to match its potential.

Watch the trailer of The India Story here:

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Manisha Karki

Manisha has established a reputation for insightful and engaging storytelling with over six years of expertise in the industry. With a deep passion for cinema, she brings a unique perspective to her coverage, making it a trusted voice in the entertainment world.