Released Date : 25 Aug, 2023
Avg. User's Rating : 3.0/5
Stories: An anthology based in the rural Indian town of Chanderi that aims to shed light on environmental conservation, female foeticide, gender equality and more through a collection of fictional stories.
Review: In a cinematic landscape rich with different narratives, director Sanjay Bhargava and writer Ranveer Pratap Singh attempt to weave five distinct stories addressing different concerns. They offer curated stories about social issues that have been told before. While the film's intentions are admirable, the editing and storytelling of each vignette doesn't make a deep impact.
Starting with the story of a henpecked scholar portrayed by the reliable Vijendra Kala, the initial story of the film unfortunately stands out as one of its weakest. Color's performance, though competent, lacks innovation as it revisits familiar territories seen in his previous roles. Moreover, his rushed and stilted dialogue delivery hinders comprehensibility at times. Despite Prime Minister Modi's Swachh Bharat Abhiyan aimed at advocating for environmental conservation with a supposed nod, the core message was lost in an unfocused execution.
The rest of the stories revolve around various social issues but the last story is about a young man's undying love for his bride. It's endearing but predictable. And this one in particular felt completely disconnected from the overarching theme, if indeed there was any. Performance across the board ranges from mediocre to over-theatrical. Bhargava is able to successfully capture the charm and cultural essence of rural India using authentic locations.
At times, 'Panch Kriti Panch Samantha' shows moments of potential due to its simplicity and touch of reality. However, these instances are overshadowed by disjointed writing and lackluster execution. In the end, what could have been a resonant exploration of social anxiety dissolves into a forgettable cinematic effort.
