Jal () is a 2013 Indian Hindi-language drama film set in the Rann of Kutch, India, and follows an overconfident water diviner Bakka who tries to solve the drought problems in his village, but faces unforeseen circumstances when he tries to help a female bird watcher save flamingos. The film is directed by Girish Malik and is his debut film as a director.
The film premiered and received special mention at the "New Currents" section of the Busan International Film Festival 2013 and in the "Indian Panorama" section of the International Film Festival of India.
The film was theatrically released in India on 4 April 2014. One World Films collaborated with DAR Motion Pictures for the distribution of Jal in India. The film won the National Film Award for Best Special Effects for the year 2013 at the 61st National Film Awards. Jal was also short-listed as India's official entry to the 2014 Academy Awards in the Best Picture Category and the Best Original Score Category. The film advanced in the top 114 films in the Best Original Score Category.
Synopsis
The story of Jal centers on Bakka (Purab Kohli), a young man who possesses a unique ability to locate water in the desert. With the backdrop of water scarcity, the film tells a complex story of love, relationships, enmity, deceit, and circumstances that bring about the dark side of human character.
Cast Purab Kohli as Bakka Tannishtha Chatterjee as Kajri Kirti Kulhari as Kesar Yashpal Sharma as Ramkhiladi Mukul Dev as Punya Saidah Jules as Kim Ravi Gossain as Rakla Rahul Singh Gary Richardson Rohit Pathak Bharat Hathi
Music The music of the film is composed by Sonu Nigam and ace tabla player/percussionist Bickram Ghosh. This is their first composing collaboration for a Bollywood film.
The composer duo recorded the film's title song with Shubha Mudgal. The title song used ragas like Marwa and Puriya combined with rare musical instruments like the Armenian Duduk. The entire song was created in a day.
Jal'''s background score is by Sonu Nigam and Bickram Ghosh. They used a mix of Indian and International sounds with a lot of percussion. Sonu Nigam and Bickram Ghosh were nominated in Oscars 2014 long list among top 114 in the Best Original Score Category.
Soundtrack
Track # title Singer(s) Lyrics Composer(s) 1 Jal De (Title Song)Shubha Mudgal Sonu Nigam – Sanjeev Tiwari Sonu Nigam Bickram Ghosh 2 You Fill My Life Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan, Suzanne Sonu Nigam – Bickram Ghosh Sonu NigamBickram Ghosh 3 Zaalima Sonu Nigam Sonu Nigam Sonu NigamBickram Ghosh 4 Paani Si Behti Jaye Ambarish Das Sanjeev Tiwari Sonu NigamBickram Ghosh 5 Bakka Pani De Instrumental Instrumental Sonu NigamBickram Ghosh 6 The Mirage and the Tornado Instrumental Instrumental Sonu NigamBickram Ghosh 7 The Sweet Dream of Water Instrumental Instrumental Sonu NigamBickram Ghosh 8 Mesmerized By Rann Instrumental Instrumental Sonu NigamBickram Ghosh 9 The Tragedy of Rann Instrumental Instrumental Sonu NigamBickram Ghosh 10 The Barren Land Instrumental Instrumental Sonu NigamBickram Ghosh 11 The Cry of the Soul Instrumental Instrumental Sonu NigamBickram Ghosh 12 Dried Up Tears Instrumental Instrumental Sonu NigamBickram Ghosh 13 Nature and the Machine Instrumental Instrumental Sonu NigamBickram Ghosh 14 Ankhiyan – Anthem Instrumental Instrumental Sonu NigamBickram Ghosh 15 The Water Ritual 1 Instrumental Instrumental Sonu NigamBickram Ghosh 16 The Water Ritual 2 Instrumental Instrumental Sonu NigamBickram Ghosh 17 The Hope of Water Instrumental Instrumental Sonu NigamBickram Ghosh 18 The Flow of Water Instrumental Instrumental Sonu NigamBickram Ghosh 19 The Sorrow Within Instrumental Instrumental Sonu NigamBickram Ghosh 20 Bakka And Kesar Tryst With Water Instrumental Instrumental Sonu NigamBickram Ghosh 21 Chase Instrumental Instrumental Sonu NigamBickram Ghosh 22 Anger Instrumental Instrumental Sonu NigamBickram Ghosh
Critical receptionTimes of India gave the film 3.5 stars and stated "Jal captures the bare beauty of the golden cracked earth and its tortuous tapestry in artfully mounted frames. It's a picture-perfect album with stark sights and parched souls". Taran Adarsh from BollywoodHungama has rated 3.5/5 stars and stated "JAL makes a rock-solid impact. It's poignant and powerful and I suggest, you take time out to watch this truly gripping fare" FilmFare'' gave the film 4/5 stars and appreciated the film "Great visuals and premise desiccated by a pedantic pace".
References
External links
Jal – Official Trailer on YouTube