Jalsa

Suresh Triveni's *Jalsa* is a taut domestic thriller that doesn't shy away from moral complexity, and for the most part, it delivers. The central premise—a celebrated TV journalist who preaches truth becoming complicit in a hit-and-run involving her employee's daughter—is inherently compelling, and Triveni uses it to explore the gap between public persona and private morality. Vidya Balan is superb here, moving between steely professionalism and raw panic with genuine conviction, while Shefali Shah brings quiet dignity and simmering anguish to Rukhsana's role. The relationship between these two women forms the emotional spine of the film, and both actresses honor that with nuanced, restrained performances that avoid melodrama.

Where *Jalsa* stumbles, however, is in its execution during the second half. The investigation subplot feels somewhat routine, and the film occasionally relies on convenient plot devices rather than earning its dramatic moments. The resolution, while thematically resonant, comes across as somewhat tidy given the moral messiness it's spent two hours setting up. There's also an unevenness in pacing—scenes that should crackle feel padded, while others could have benefited from deeper exploration. Triveni's direction is competent rather than inspired; he manages tension adequately but rarely transcends the material to create something truly unforgettable.

Still, *Jalsa* works more often than it doesn't. It's a film about accountability that asks uncomfort