Wikipedia

Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai

Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai (transl. Just One Common Man is Enough), or simply Bandaa (transl. Common Man), is a 2023 Indian Hindi-language legal drama film directed by Apoorv Singh Karki and co-produced by Zee Studios and Bhanushali Studios. The film stars Manoj Bajpayee.[2][3][4] The film brings back the team of Manoj Bajpayee and Suparn Verma, who earlier collaborated on The Family Man.[5] The film was released digitally on 23 May 2023 on ZEE5[6] and also had a limited theatrical release on 2 June 2023, after a largely positive response from critics and audiences.[7] It was featured in the 54th IFFI Indian panorama mainstream section.[8]

Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai
Official release poster
Directed byApoorv Singh Karki
Written byAdvocate P. C. Solanki
Apoorva Singh Karki
Deepak Kingrani
Produced byVinod Bhanushali
Kamlesh Bhanushali
Vishal Gurnani
Vishwankar Pathania
Juhi Prakash Mehta
Asif Shaikh
Suparn Verma
Starring
CinematographyArjun Kukreti
Edited bySumeet Kotian
Music bySangeet-Siddharth
Roy
Production
companies
Distributed byZEE5
Release date
  • 23 May 2023 (2023-05-23)
Running time
132 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi

At the 2023 Filmfare OTT Awards, Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai received 7 nominations and won 5 awards, including Best Web Original Film, Best Director in a Web Original Film (Karki) and Best Actor in a Web Original Film (Bajpayee).

Synopsis

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Sirf Ek Bandaa Kafi Hai is a courtroom drama[9][10] inspired by actual events of a five-year-long standalone fight of a regular session court lawyer Adv. P. C. Solanki (Manoj Bajpayee) stands for the truth and his struggle to bring justice to a minor. The plot is based on the trial of Asaram for the rape of a minor.[11]

The case was moved to the Session Court. Witnesses were killed and threatened by the godman's goons, but due to the undeterred efforts of Adv. P. C. Solanki, the victim(s) got justice eventually.[12]

Cast

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  • Manoj Bajpayee as Adv. P. C. Solanki
  • Adrija Sinha as Nu Singh
  • Surya Mohan Kulshrestha as Baba
  • Nikhil Pandey as Amit Nihag
  • Priyanka Setia as Inspector Chanchal Mishra
  • Jaihind Kumar as Nu's father
  • Durga Sharma as Nu's mother
  • Vipin Sharma as Adv. Pramod Sharma
  • Abhijit Lahiri as Adv. Ram Chandvani in relaity Ram Jethmalani
  • Saurabh Sharma as Nu's first lawyer
  • Archana Dani as Mrs. Bapat
  • Ikhlaque Ahmed Khan as Judge
  • Kaustav Sinha as Bittu
  • Manish Mishra as Inspector Amit Sial
  • Vivek Sinha as Baba's son
  • Shivraj Walvekar as Police Commissioner of Jodhpur
  • Vivek Tandon as Supreme Court lawyer
  • Gauransh Sharma as Solanki's son
  • Veena Mehta as Solanki's mother
  • Manohar Teli as Mahendra Singh
  • Vikram Singh as Kripal Singh
  • Amrita Chakraborty as Pushpalata
  • Himanshu Manek as Madhukar Tripathi, Principal of Saraswati school
  • Micky Singh as Mrs. Kamat
  • Rajesh Talnikar as Dinesh Bhavchandani
  • Tushar Phulke as Defence Witness
  • Vishwamitra Dixit as Defence lawyer's assistance

Production

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Principal photography started on 9 October 2022, when it was also announced that Manoj Bajpayee has been signed to play the lead.[13][14] The film was primarily shot in Mumbai.[15] The shoots were wrapped by December 2022.[16]

Music

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The film's music is composed by Sangeet-Siddharth and Roy.

No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Bandaa Title Track"Sameer Anjaan Rap Lyrics: EnkoreVivek Hariharan, Roy
Rapper: Enkore		2:10
2."Sahara Tu Mera"Garima ObrahAsees Kaur, Sangeet-Siddharth4:01
3."Bandeya"Garima Obrah & Sangeet HaldipurSonu Nigam4:46
Total length:10:27

Controversy

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Advocate P. C. Solanki filed case against producers of the film because of violation of his intellectual property rights.[17] The Sant Shri Asaramji Ashram Charitable Trust sent a legal notice to the producers of the film right after the trailer launch.[18][19]

Reception

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Mint Lounge wrote, " Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai review: Unlovely and uncomplicated. The screen slopes from left to right. The décor is very Wicked Witch of the West: black and brown and green. Nothing is clear, the eye goes nowhere, it’s a mess.[20]

Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai received critical acclaim from critics. The Hindu wrote "Despite a pumped-up narrative style, the film looks realistic, shot in life-size courtrooms and streets. And there are some memorable juxtapositions, all of them featuring Solanki."[21]

Bollywood Hungama wrote "Apoorv Singh Karki's direction is first-rate. He makes good use of the powerful script and dialogues and adds the required drama to the narrative. The way he has helmed simple scenes and enhanced the impact is praiseworthy, like Baba’s arrest, Baba greeting his followers and distributing sweets outside the court, Solanki narrating the road accident story etc."[22]

Grace Cyril for India Today rated the movie 3 stars out of 5 and wrote "With a narrative so sensitive, the screenplay has been handled with the utmost care. There's a scene where a lawyer asks Nu if the godman made her touch his private parts. Even though he is defending the godman, he gets ashamed asking this and the entire court falls silent."[23]

Deepa Gahlot for Rediff.com rated the movie 3.5 stars out of 5 and wrote "Karki deftly balances the emotions of hope and despair and at one level, the film makes the audience feel good, that Nu and Solanki's battle was not in vain."[24]

Pinkvilla wrote "The courtroom drama deals with the subject matter in a very delicate and sensitive way. Not just audiences having an inclination towards courtroom films but everyone should enjoy watching the film."[25]

A critic from Firstpost wrote "One of the best scenes of Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai is when Solanki (Manoj Bajpayee) tries to convince the minor girl on the terrace to fight against the god-man and not be scared. He says that now it’s time not to hide your face behind the dupatta, but to tie it hard around your waist and fight like Ma Kali."[26]

The Times of India rated the movie 4 stars out of 5 and wrote "The movie, where only Advocate Solanki's name remains unchanged, while other characters are given screen names, handles the narrative with great sensitivity, even in the scenes when the defence asks Nu pointed questions about the incident or how mindfully the police handle the case. It does not sensationalise the event while ensuring it’s gripping."[27]

Scroll.in praised Manoj Bajpayee's performance and wrote "The title gives a fair warning. The movie isn’t about the teenager and her family who had the courage to file a police complaint but the crusading lawyer."[28]

A critic from The Quint wrote "In focusing on the ek bandaa (one man) at the centre of the courtroom drama, we see little of the stories bubbling around him. The way the pressure of "proving" allegations of sexual misconduct falls on the survivor is hinted at but not explored."[29]

A critic from CNBC TV18 wrote "The entire escapade, peopled with shady characters and accentuated by the ashram’s secluded and eerie premises, was as spooky as a true-crime documentary."[30]

Zoom TV wrote "The film skillfully navigates the complexities of faith and the law, questioning the influence of charisma."[31]

A critic from Lehren wrote "Most of all, there’s an unabashed borrowing of the Criminal Justice and Jolly LLB templates – a self-effacing advocate pitched against biggies in the legal business, a bit of wit attempted as the serious case proceeds and glimpses into the humble lawyer’s personal life.

Shubham Kulkarni of Koimoi rated the film 4/5 and said "It is a masterclass about how an actor can hold an entire movie on his skilled shoulders. Manoj Bajpayee doesn’t blow life in this movie; he is the life of the film". [1]

Accolades

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Year Award ceremony Category Nominee / work Result Ref.
2023 Filmfare OTT Awards Best Web Original Film Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai Won [32]
Best Director in a Web Original Film Apoorv Singh Karki Won
Best Actor in a Web Original Film Manoj Bajpayee Won
Best Story (Web Original Film) Deepak Kingrani Won
Best Original Dialogue (Web Original Film) Won
Best Background Music (Web Original Film) Sandeep Chowta Nominated
Best Editing (Web Original Film) Sumeet Kotian Nominated

References

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  1. ^ "'Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai' movie review: Manoj Bajpayee steps up in court". The Hindu. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  2. ^ "Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai trailer: It is Manoj Bajpayee vs abusive god-man in this courtroom drama, watch". The Indian Express. 8 May 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  3. ^ "Manoj Bajpayee to headline Zee Studios' courtroom drama". The Indian Express. 4 December 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  4. ^ "Manoj Bajpayee to lead courtroom drama, actor says, 'People will remember the film for a really long time'". The Indian Express. 9 October 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  5. ^ "Manoj Bajpayee Signs Untitled Courtroom Drama, To Reunite with Suparn Verma After The Family Man; Read Deets". New 18. 9 October 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  6. ^ "Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai trailer: Manoj Bajpayee turns lawyer to fight against powerful godman in this courtroom drama". Hindustan Times. 8 May 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  7. ^ "Manoj Bajpayee's Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai moves to theatres after OTT: It proves that web is not a threat or competition". Hindustan Times. 2 June 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  8. ^ "Indian Panorama 2023 Announces Official Selection for 54th IFFI, 2023". Press Information Bureau. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2023 – via press release.
  9. ^ "'Film wrongly publicized, terms & conditions violated', alleges real-life hero behind 'Bandaa'". The Times of India. 25 May 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  10. ^ "Advocate Who Inspired Manoj Bajpayee's Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai Files Case, Says 'Not A Hero'". ABP News. 25 May 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  11. ^ "Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai: True Story Behind Manoj Bajpayee's Courtroom Drama On Asaram Bapu". 25 May 2023.
  12. ^ "Manoj Bajpayee to play lawyer in Bandaa; announces project on his birthday". India TV. 23 April 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  13. ^ "Manoj Bajpayee soon to play lead in Vinod Bhanushali & Zee Studios produced courtroom drama". The Statesmen. 9 October 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  14. ^ "Manoj Bajpayee begins filming of Suparn Varma's courtroom drama, film expected to release in 2023". India Today. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  15. ^ "Manoj Bajpayee, Vinod Bhanushali & Apoorv Singh Karki on sets of their courtroom drama". Mid-Day. 9 November 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  16. ^ "Manoj Bajpayee wraps filming for Zee Studios' courtroom drama". The Hindu. 5 December 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  17. ^ "'Film wrongly publicised, terms & conditions violated', alleges real-life hero behind 'Bandaa'". The Times of India. 25 May 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  18. ^ "Asaram Bapu Sues Makers Of Manoj Bajpayee's Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai. Producer REACTS". TimesNow. 9 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  19. ^ "Manoj Bajpayee and producer of Sirf Ek Bandaa Kafi Hai receive legal notice from Asaram Bapu's trust; latter seeks stay on release of film". Bollywood Hungama. 9 May 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  20. ^ "Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai review: Unlovely and uncomplicated". Mintlounge. 26 May 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  21. ^ Mitra, Shilajit (23 May 2023). "'Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai' movie review: Manoj Bajpayee steps up in court". The Hindu. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  22. ^ "Bandaa Movie Review: Laced with a fine performance SIRF EK BANDAA KAAFI HAI is a gripping courtroom drama". Bollywood Hungama. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.     
  23. ^ Cyril, Grace (22 May 2023). "Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai Movie Review: Manoj Bajpayee kaafi hai to keep you hooked to this courtroom drama". India Today. Retrieved 23 May 2023.     
  24. ^ Gahlot, Deepa (23 May 2023). "Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai Review: Magnificent Manoj". Rediff.com. Retrieved 23 May 2023.     
  25. ^ Jogani, Rishil (21 May 2023). "Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai Movie Review: Manoj Bajpayee shines in hard-hitting and empowering courtroom drama". Pinkvilla. Retrieved 24 May 2023.     
  26. ^ Deb Roy, Lachmi (22 May 2023). "Manoj Bajpayee's Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai Movie Review". Firstpost. Retrieved 23 May 2023.     
  27. ^ Roy, Dhaval (21 May 2023). "Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai Review : Manoj Bajpayee is brillaint in this gripping courtroom drama". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 May 2023.     
  28. ^ Ramnath, Nandini (23 May 2023). "'Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai' review: A one-man show indeed". Scroll.in. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  29. ^ Mishra, Pratikshya (23 May 2023). "Review: Manoj Bajpayee Exemplary Performance Elevates 'Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai'". The Quint. Retrieved 24 May 2023.     
  30. ^ Bengani, Sneha (23 May 2023). "Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai movie review: Manoj Bajpayee and the quiet heroism of the everyman". CNBC TV18. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  31. ^ Das, Kusumika (21 May 2023). "Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai Movie Review: Manoj Bajpayee's Gripping Legal Drama Takes Us On A Rollercoaster Ride". Zoom TV. Retrieved 24 May 2023.     
  32. ^ "Nominations for the Filmfare OTT Awards 2023: Full List Out | Femina.in". www.femina.in. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
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