No One Killed Jessica (2011)

Director: Raj Kumar Gupta

Screenplay: Raj Kumar Gupta

Cast: Rani Mukerji, Vidya Balan

Music: Amit Trivedi

Time: 134 minutes

Bottom-line: Excellent choice for the story, and good execution

One of the most infamous murder cases of Delhi, this 2011 biographical drama is based on the true events following the murder of small time model and celebrity barmaid Jessica Lal. While the actual events took place over a period of seven years, from 1999 to 2006, the film tries to give the gist of them in a little over two hours.

People generally say, that Mumbai is about money and Delhi is about power. In Delhi, nobody is a nobody. Everybody is a somebody.

30^th April 1999: Sabrina (Balan) gets a call in the middle of the night from a man named Vikram (Neil Bhoopalam), saying that her sister, Jessica (Myra Karn) has been shot dead. He narrates how three men – Manish, Vishal and Lucky – had demanded drinks at the bar during a party, and while Jessica repeatedly refused to offer it to them, Manish of them shot her. While all the evidence seems to point at Manish, and with 300 witnesses to testify, the case seems to be a simple open-and-shut one, so thinks reporter Meera (Mukerji). But months later, when she reads the headline “No One Killed Jessica”, she knows it is up to the media to make sure justice is delivered. In a city where everyone is ready to comment and complain, but hesitant to take the initiative, she has to lead.

 

Vidya Balan as Sabrina (right) and
Rani Mukerji as Meera

The Jessica murder case goes on to show the height of corruption and power in India. All it takes is money, muscle and influence to silence thousands of people and alter the course of justice; it is only a matter of targeting and threatening the common man. We see how Sabrina and her family try to protest on their own, going personally to each of the witnesses and pleading with them to testify in court, but all efforts go in vain; even Vikram, the first eye-witness, ends up saying he is not sure. Several biting dialogues bring out the harsh truth, and give a lot to think about. While the case is over a decade old, the issues of power and influence still exist.

The actual Jessica Lal

Having seen The Dirty Picture and Kahaani, I found it surprising that Vidya Balan has such a passive role in the film. Her character, Sabrina, takes the humble route to everything, which, sadly, have no place in a place like Delhi (as the film shows). With all her efforts having gone in vain, she gives up fighting. Enter Meera, the highly enthusiastic, determined journalist, who turns the tables around. Her quick thinking, persuasive methods and bravery to bring justice irrespective of the odds against it is clearly seen in her acting, and this is one outstanding performance!

The screenplay is not an exact copy of the actual events; some of it is obviously dramatized more than the actual incidents. Nevertheless, I would have enjoyed a bit more courtroom drama. The film also gives importance to the personal lives of Sabrina and Jessica; the meeting between Sabrina and Meera towards the end is the best scene of the film, and a myriad of emotions flow through you. In general, I look forward to films that are based on true stories/people, and I must say, hats off to Raj Kumar Gupta for bringing up this infamous case to the big screen.

My Rating: 3.5/5