Kaagaz movie review: A winning tale of humanity, hope and survival

What: Pankaj Tripathi shines in Satish Kaushik helmed heart-warming, winning saga of hope and humanity based on the life of Lal Bihari aka Lal Bihari Mritak.

Kaagaz movie synopsis

Based on the real-life story of Bihari Lal aka Lal Bihari Mritak a farmer activist and a dead man (The 2003 Ig Nobel Prize winner was declared dead on Kagaaz (paper) between 1975 and 1994). Pankaj Tripathi plays the protagonist Bihari Lal a small band owner who is shocked to find himself dead in records when he applies for loan to expand his business.

Kaagaz movie review

Fitting perfectly in a role designed for greats like Utpal Dutt, Sanjeev Kumar.   Pankaj Tripathi delivers a ‘long lasting’ performance in this gem.

Based on the real-life story of Bihari Lal aka Lal Bihari Mritak a farmer activist and a dead man (yes, the 2003 Ig Nobel Prize winner was declared dead on Kagaaz (paper) between 1975 and 1994. Pankaj Tripathi plays the protagonist Bihari Lal a small band owner who is shocked to find himself dead in records when he applies for loan to expand his business.

Rest is how Lal Bihari fights the bureaucracy, red – tapism, the mockery/ire of the public, for 19 years to prove that he is alive. During his struggle, Lal Bihari lays the foundation for the Mritak Sangh, the Uttar Pradesh Association of Dead People, to highlight other cases like his and adds Mritak to his name.

Movies like Kaagaz is a perfect example of an extraordinary story that deserves to be told simply told.

Satish Kaushik adapts a feel-good simple approach and is bang on target right from the word go. People like Lal Bihari are our part of life, the world is full of people like Lal Bihari but are they really alive, does the system care. Such gems turn Kagaaz into a poignantly charming and uplifting tale of life. As the movie progresses the ‘dead’ status of Lal Bihari becomes the metaphor of our plight/condition in those government records.

Performances

Pankaj Tripathi was born to play Lal Bihari and this act will never go Mritak (dead), it will remain unforgettable.

Monal Gajjar is very natural as the caring wife.

Satish Kaushik is outstanding.

Neha Chauhan leaves her mark.

Mita Vashishtis fine.

From the supporting cast, Brijendra Kala excels, Vijay    Kumar is good, Amar Upadhyay is passable.

Salman Khan’s voice over is decent.

Any memorable dialogue/scene

The dacoit episode

Scene that should have been deleted at once

None

Flaws

Satish Kaushik wins in the feel-good department but the sweeping satire is missing. Sandeepa Dhar is wasted.

Final words

Watch Kaagaz before you ‘die’.