Talvar
Tags: murder

Plot synopsis:
The film starts off with an introduction of Joint Director Ashwin Kumar at the annual function of India's premier police investigating agency, the Central Department of Investigation (CDI). At the function (1 April 2008), his senior officers hand him over a double murder case. The film then goes into a flashback of events leading to the murders.
On the night of 15–16 March 2008, Shruti Tandon (Ayesha Parveen), a 14-year girl is found dead at her home in Sameer Vihar of Noida, by her parents Ramesh (Neeraj Kabi) and Nutan (Konkona Sen Sharma). The local policemen, led by Inspector Dhaniram (Gajraj Rao) are incompetent, and do not know the basics of criminal investigation. Initially, they seek the missing servant Khempal. However, later, Khempal's decomposed body is found on the terrace of the building in which the Tandons live. The police question Khempal's close friend and Tandons' assistant Kanhaiya. Kanhaiya tells the police that Ramesh Tandon might have been involved in an extra-marital affair, and Khempal might have been involved in a relationship with Shruti. The police start suspecting the Tandons, and after sometime, declare the murders as a clear case of honour killing. On 25 March, the Noida police arrest Ramesh Tandon for the two murders. The police chief organizes a press conference in which he declares that Ramesh murdered Shruti and Khempal after finding them in a compromising position. This character assassination of Shruti leads to public outrage, and the case is handed over to the Central Department of Investigation (CDI), the country's elite investigating police agency.
The CDI team is led by Joint Director Ashwin Kumar (Irrfan Khan) and ACP Vedant (Soham Shah). Kumar holds contempt for the sloppy first responders who botched the initial crime-scene investigation. He believes the parents to be innocent, and methodically builds a case against the father's resentful assistant. His team uses narco tests, attempting to prove that the assistant and his two accomplices committed the murders. On 22 June 2008, he officially exonerates the parents, and Ramesh Tandon is released from the jail. The narrative also briefly discusses the dissolution of Kumar's marriage with Reema (Tabu).
Just as Ashwin Kumar is about to conclude his investigation, his senior officer retires and a new CDI chief takes over. ACP Vedant, in his greed to get a promotion, starts working against Kumar. This leads to an altercation between the two officers, resulting in Kumar's suspension. On 9 July 2008, CDI hands over the case to a new probe team led by Kumar's former boss Paul (Atul Kumar), who concludes that the parents committed the murders. In the final act, rival camps (of Kumar and Paul), with opposing hypotheses, make their cases before the CDI chief. On 20 February 2011, CDI files a closure report in Ghaziabad court, naming parents as the prime suspects, but states that the evidence is insufficient to initiate prosecution. On 15 March, the Tandons file a protest plea opposing CDI's report. On 25 March, the judge rejects the closure report and makes the parents an accused in the case. The trial begins on 8 June 2012, and the Tandons are convicted for the murders on 26 November 2013.

Review: Vishal Bharadwaj and Meghna Gulzar called Talvar as the fictional representation of the Aarushi-Hemraj murder case but the way it is shot and executed you would believe it's for real.
With the likes of Irrfan Khan, Konkana Sen Sharma, Navin Kabi and others, Gulzar had made sure people don't get disturbed by the histrionics but by the proceedings.
The 2008 murder of Aarushi Talwar and Hemraj Banjade and the subsequent investigations, of which Guilty/Talvar is the fictionalized account, are complex, with multiple official points of view, compromised evidence, and of course breathless media accounts with unnamed sources, rumours and innuendo.
Vishal Bhardwaj and Meghna Guzzal took the time to scrupulously research the case, and present a Rashomon-like telling of the story with multiple viewpoints, allowing the viewer to conclude which case is most compelling.The acting is superb, and despite the many details, the editing it tight so that the movie is gripping from start to finish.
It portrays the Aarushi Murder Case and related facts in such an impacting manner that every bit of the movie is engrossing and intense.
The direction of the movie was superb all credits to Meghna gulzar for giving us such a wonderful film and irrfan khan was as always giving gossebumps with his acting and my favourite Neeraj kabi just stunning..
And while Irrfan Khan fails to bring his A-game to the table, his performance nonetheless is the movie's strongest point (his scenes with Tabu, who makes a guest appearance, are quite solid), especially thanks to his characteristic wry humour and wit that offer some comic relief at crucial moments.
The story is intriguing, the acting is superb, and the depiction of real life is so detail and moving.I like this movie, because I felt like I'm in the middle of the investigation.
I wasn't in India during the famous trigger-happy media frenzy sensationalized Aarushi Talwar-Hemraj 2008 double murder case of Noida India, thus watching Talvar movie was a first time exposure on what actually could have happened.
On the promotional campaign the Director Meghna Gulzar and Vishal Bhardwaj reiterated in every channel interview that they have presented the facts as it is – without taking sides and leaving in the end for audience to decide.
But just use some intelligence and say that the first CBI team led by Ashwini kumar - Irfan Khan (who is shown as a drunkard, emotionally devastated with a broken marriage and divorce, a mobile phone gamester with short-broken attention spans, a violent investigator using beatings and torture, whimsical to the extent of beating the police officer with a stick, attacking a colleague in official premises) – how can he be believed?
Very disturbing when the pseudo – intelligent critics and reviewers applaud such a crafty and bogus manipulation.There are rumors as claimed by a Director Manish Gupta who made another fictional movie 'Rahasya' inspired by Aarushi murder case, that the Talwars had approached him to make a movie showing them as innocent, and when the Director didn't agree – they wanted to ban the release of the movie.The producers & production services is unprecedentedly (never seen ever before) using the print media of a leading national daily to promote sway the readers and audiences with two page paid news-coverage for four continuous day since release of this film.
Honestly I had high expectations from the movie as it casts genuine actors like Irfan Khan and Konkona Sen, that too directed by Meghna Gulzar.
Our county top positioned law personalities has to show a active participation which helps to get the case resolved as soon as possible.I don't know what is the reality but after seeing this movie I will pray to the God please help if someone getting punishment which them didn't.Hope this movie will bring some change in the mind and working level of the laws..
After CDI took over the case, it seemed that now, the story is moving in the right direction but then the scenes from the personal life of an officer didn't make any sense.
I have seen a few Bollywood productions and this one had by far the most coherent plot and cultural differences did not make me feel like I was watching something from another planet which is the case most of the time with Indian pieces.
What intrigues me in the whole time span during watching this movie is it gets more intense as i start comparing what we read in the newspaper and what exactly might have been happened is completely different.
So this is a subjective review.Talvar focuses mostly on three real life investigations into the murder of a teenage girl that shocked India - the first investigation by the police force and two subsequent ones by the CBI (name changed to CDI in this film).
Talvar is brilliantly directed by Gulzar, and manages to tell two stories to the same murder case.
Plus points- + Irrfan Khan + the movie shows that the case has been researched well + conference scene in the end + Screenplay + supporting actorsMinus point- - First half doesn't have as much excitement as the second.
This ranks as one of the best movies I have seen recently, one with a real life incident, and making a bold statement.The script, screenplay , direction , casting and acting were truly exceptional.
Well written (albeit disturbingly closer to the facts reported on the case), the film is an excellent reflection of the bias exhibited by the police forces, media and to some extend the society towards what seems like a double homicide.
We hardly come across an Indian movie that touches real life incidences in such a spectacular manner, such that it challenges the verdict in double murder Talwar's case and exposes the tainted law enforcement body in our country.
What is sad is that so many star studded craps top the box office charts while such an incredible movies don't get the worthy word of mouth.Once again kudos to Meghana Gulzar's amazing direction, Imran khans flawless performance and the real life hero CBI joint director Arun Kumar for taking a stand for justice..
The court cases in India are one of most complicated and tiring drama as it is a never-ending process and to make the matter worst – the murderers might get away free because of the incompetency shown by police officials.
Talvar has its own share of story which has been blunt, hard-hitting and yet hair- raising.Based on the true incident of controversial Aarushi Talwar murder case that shocked the entire country, Talvar tells the detailed story of what really happened on the night of murder with different people offering different versions of that entire event.Based on Avirook Sen's recent book Arushi, Meghna Gulzar deep-dives into the real events behind the gruesome murder that changed the lives of so many people.
Couple of scenes are hair-raising – the scene where Irrfan Khan almost solves the case until he is betrayed by his fellow companion and the best scene is undoubtedly the debate session in the climax when two teams from CBI present their own version of story.
The case had multiple dimensions; that means a great opportunity for the director to leave the spectators puzzled which direction to go; but, the movie strongly depicts the story only from one predefined angle, somewhat neglecting the others, and thus coming to an abrupt end.I feel, complete justice with the scope of the film would have been done if both perceptions towards the story was shown with equal emphasis.
This thriller, directed by Meghna Gulzar, is based on the real-life 2008 Aarushi Talwar murder case that happened near New Delhi.The details of the actual murder case can be gleaned from here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Noida_double_murder_case.
Presenting a sympathetic angle to the parents of the murdered child, the movie tries to portray them as innocent victims of a callous and irresponsible system, a system where the sword (talvar) of the statue of justice has been rusting since past 60 years.
The Direction Of Meghna Gulzar Is stunningly great with the amazing work with actors like Irfan Khan, Neeraj Kabi, Konkona Sen Sharma, and others ..
The film was critically acclaimed for its 'solidly constructed' screenplay leading to National Film Award for the same.Besides effort of the director and the writer, stellar performance by top-notch actor Irrfan Khan(Ashwin Kumar) and other actors like Gajraj Rao(inspector Dhaniram), Neeraj Kabi(Mr. Tandon) and Prakash Belawadi(Ramshankar Pillai, CDI Director) were the reason to its success.
Some other things are noticeably bad (and do not happen in real life) like the officer playing game on his cellphone, the two investigative teams meeting, Judge asking police to start the case on the doctor and his wife, 'funny' interrogation of Kanhaiya, the 'interrogation' of the police officer by the CBI, so on and so forth...The rating of 3 is given exclusively on the demerits of the first half and the silly omissions and commissions in the first half.
It criticized the 'sensationalist' media reports as lacking in "sensitivity, taste and decorum".[169] On 25 July, the Ghaziabad court judge objected to the "inhuman treatment" of Krishna, Rajkumar and Vijay by the police."-Wikipedia.***Noida double homicide case'/ Indian knows it more as 'Arushi Talwar Murder Mystery!'.
The roles played by the characters in the movie were extremely precise.Relevant and accurate depiction of the entire case.Most of the audiences are not aware of the happenings of this case which this movie depicts in the best way possible.A must watch for everyone.Brilliant acting by Irrfan Khan and Neeraj Kabi.Each and every character has an important role here and it has been taken care of.Konkana Sen Sharma didn't show enough perfection while playing the character of Shruti's mother.She could have done better.The way in which the entire story has been framed and presented,its really difficult therefore great work by the team.Effective in showing the people the loopholes in Indian administration..
Were they killed by the parents or by the three domestic servants or were they butchered by our flawed legal system, judge mental society and impatient media.According to Arun Kumar, ex CBI officer who probed the case ( Irfan khan's character is based on him)" I think nobody will ever get to know who actually killed both of them."Talvar makes for a gripping and deeply disturbing film largely thanks to the nature of the crime but also because of true to life style of narration.
It systematically takes you to the intricacies of the case using an impressive research done over it.The basic essence of film is portrayed through this dialogue by Irfan Khan "Its better that 10 guilty go scott free than an innocent getting punished."The film is directed by Meghna gulzar, from a script by vishal bharadwaj and is as real as constructed for the camera document.
Resembling in treatment with Akira Kurosawa's 1950 Japanese film Rashomon, Talvar depicts three contradictory accounts of the case, including the parents' version.Vishal Bharadwaj's writing shines throughout the movie(Is there anything this man cant do?).
The table however belongs to one man- Irfan khan is arguably the finest working actor in Hindi cinema today and is in flawless form and gives a stunning performance.A tip of the hat to the director Meghna gulzar for pulling off a fairly objective depiction of true events without being influenced by personal feelings or opinions in considering and representing the story.The movie is from the parent's side but focuses more on the procedural irregularities, botched investigation, base level incompetence.In the end I left the cinema hall wondering about the curious case of Arushi Talwar as her parents serve life sentences at Dansa jail in Ghaziabad.
She had a cast comprising of some of the finest actors in Indian cinema at her disposal and she used all of them extremely well.Based on the infamous Noida double murder case, Talvar is the story of how a 14 year old girl and her housekeep are found murdered and the girl's parents are the main accused.
This movie highlights how the first investigative team led by the local police botched up the entire crime scene and contaminated all the evidences, which could have made it a possibly an open and shut case.
The worst part is that it's all true.Of the cast, Irrfan Khan as Ashwin Kumar steals the show, as the reclusive CDI investigator, who's personal life is in a turmoil and is handed over the charge of this infamous case.
It is a great comeback of the director Meghna Gulzar even she did not had good movies in her pocket before.It is a must watch if you are looking for thriller.
Like Most Indians I had heard of the Aarushi Murder Case on the news channels & had believed that The Talwars were guilty But A few days back I read the Book Aarushi by Avirook Sen which left me extremely shocked because the book tells the exact facts related to the case which provides a completely different angle to the case.The Movie Talvar is based upon these exact facts and brings out the case in such a manner that every person watching the movie would feel like entering the movie screens & slapping the policemen and C.B.I officers.
The acting of Irrfan Khan and all other actors is brilliant & in the last 15-20 minutes which is a face off between the two cbi teams, you just feel like clapping for each and every dialogue of Irrfan Khan.This movie is a slap on the face of the Indian Legal System.
All we can hope is that this movie contribute in some way to bring them to justice because as Irrfan Khan said it is better to let 10 criminals go rather than convicting one innocent person .A Must Watch Movie for Every Indian..
This movie is based on true story of what happened in Aarushi Talvar's murder case.
Irfan Khan has time and again showed us how powerful an simple act can be.Now to the story part, All that is needed to know what actually happened in this case is common man's logic and official statements from court, police etc.You know Who is a caged parrot?
The parents in this film feel like they were heavily victimized and the police just blamed them to cover up the botched investigations.
Irrfan Khan is excellent in his role as CBI officer and offers some humor to the film, although I feel like his side romance story with Tabu was not needed in the film.
The film concludes as the original case did with the parents being convicted although in the end of this film it feels like something was amiss and the wrong people were charged with the murders.
Talwar is a great film with does a good job of portraying all the angles on the Noida Murder case on screen.
That's why not always (because i also like to see VB directing movies) but sometimes (mostly in case of real stories) its good to give VB only the writing department and give the director's chair to someone else who can keep a balance between critical and commercial needs of the movies.
Coming back to the movie , as the movie is based on Noida Double murder case which has earlier been portrait in a movie named Rahashya but not much in a detailed manner , i personally will not judge the movie comparing its facts to the real event.
Yes the movie is that good.Direction, Screenplay, Cinematography: It is Meghna Gulzar's best work as a director till date (yes it is better than Raazi).
"Talvar" is based on Noida Double Murder Case of 2008, in which a 14 year old girl (Arushi Talwar) and 45 year old servant Hemraj Banjade) were found murdered for which the parents of the girl were convicted for life time imprisonment.
God left this place a long time ago."The film is so far "the best" by director – Meghna Gulzar who managed to put together a thoroughly researched production with producer-screenwriter-composer Vishal Bhardwaj; an outstanding cast - Irrfan Khan (the righteous lead investigator), Sohum Shah (the associate who 'crosses-the-floor'), Gajraj Rao (the laidback, gossip-filled policeman), Sumit Gulati (the gossip-monging compounder), the most-outstanding ones Konkona Sen Sharma and Neeraj Kabi (the parents) – with enviable cinematography by Pankaj Kumar ("Haider") and editing by A.
For example in the Arushi case as shown in the film cops ruined the whole investigation, the didn't collect any forensic evidence, they let people trample all over the murder scene, and they rushed through the case and blamed the parents for honor killing(like come on seriously).
But works for the film foremost is the way the Director Meghna Gulzar gets into every detail of the case, and the way the investigation proceeding go on it feels like the audience is a part of the case.
The movie shows the real face of Delhi Police and CBI's second team which was handling that case.
Konkana Sen did an amazing job, a wonderful acting by her and Irrfan Khan, well he is a superstar, he does his job perfectly in each and every movie.This movie has shown beautifully the complicated Murder case of 2008.
Amazingly a must watch movie to see the harsh and brutal truth behind the 2008 Double Murder case..
Despite the fact that the film ends up siding the parents right from the time Irfan enters the scene, suddenly there was again a feeling of uncertainty once the new team takes up the case, but the aforementioned discussion of course completely seals the deal.
As Good as a Movie About a Real-Life Legal Case Can Be. Reviewed by: Dare Devil Kid (DDK)Rating: 4.3/5 stars"Talvar" is taut, enthralling, immensely engaging, and one of the best thrillers of Indian cinema ever.
The background score also makes sure to not attract too much attention to it, and keeps the proceedings focused on the story, drama, and revelations on screen.Coming to the performances, if Irrfan is the heart of "Talvar", then Konkona Sen Sharma and Neeraj Kabi are the soul of the film.