Review
CAT
Movie
Gone are the times when Punjab and Punjabis were only associated with Balle Balle, Sardar jokes or comedy. Deep down, we all always knew that there is more to Punjab. Now, this change is being witnessed not only in Punjabi industry but also in Bollywood.
In the recent times, we’ve seen several movies made in the backdrop of Punjab and touching upon some serious topics in projects like ‘Udta Punjab’, ‘Kesari’, ‘Tabbar’ and many more. One of such projects has recently been released on Netflix which is tilted, ‘CAT’.
But could this project do any wonders for us, continue reading out our full detailed review!
CREDITS:
Directed by: Balwinder Singh Janjua, Rupinder Chahal, Jimmy Singh, Anutej Singh
Written By: Balwinder Singh Janjua, Rupinder Chahal, Anil Rodhan, Jimmy Singh
Produced by: Balwinder Singh Janjua, Panchali Chakraverty
Starring: Randeep Hooda, Neha Pawar, Rehmat Rattan, Suvinder Vicky, Hasleen Kaur, Geeta Aggarwal, Dakssh Ajit Singh, Danish Sood, Jaipreet Singh, Sukhwinder Chahal, KP Singh, Kavya Thapar, Naginder Makna, Kul Sidhu and others.
STORYLINE:
CAT is a crime thriller web-series set against the backdrop of Punjab where an innocent kiddo, Gary becomes a CAT (Gurnam) who is hired to oust the drug operation of current MLA, Madam Aulakh but gets engulfed in drug trafficking conspiracy between gang lords, cops, and political powers. The series also tries to touch upon several dark subjects present in the state like youngsters aspiring to move abroad by hook or crook and how politicians and those in power are responsible for drug menace in the state.
PERFORMANCES:
Randeep Hooda is a chameleon of an actor who gets into the skin of whatever role he portrays. This time also Randeep as a Punjabi turbaned guy, Gary aka Gurnam not only worked on his Punjabi dialect but brought that calmness and innocence in his body language. His character has been a caring and responsible brother ever since his childhood who looked after his younger siblings after his parent’s demise.
Suvinder Vicky as Sehtab Singh ruled the project from the beginning till the end. His character takes an unexpected turn in the climax which no body must have expected. SPOILER ALERT! Not to ruin the suspense, watch out his strong performance.
Hasleen Kaur who has appeared in Femina Miss India and represented India at the Miss Earth 2011 beauty pageant had debuted in 2014 but this has to be her breakthrough performance. In a deglam role of a police cop as Babita Masih she nailed the character. She is an honest police official who wants to serve the nation but ends up becoming a target of the corrupt system somehow.
Geeta K Aggarwal plays Madam Aulakh who is running a drug mafia in the light of her rice mills. She too has a tragic backstory which leads her to become the strong headed woman she is today.
Abhishant Rana as Sunny, younger brother of Gurnam is a college going boy aspiring to move abroad but gets indulged in drugs. His performance while battling with the addiction stole the show.
Dakssh Ajit Singh as Laadi is wicked and bad ass who is involved in illegal activities following which he is forced to stay away from his family. His performance in the film time and again testifies his calibre as an actor.
Sukhwinder Chahal as Mukhtyar made us realise what a versatile and unexplored actor he has been in the Punjabi industry. His impeccable performance in a negative light keeps you glued to the screen. In fact, his acting skills boasted about his immense potential which should be put to use in Punjabi films as well. He would surely leave an imprint in your mind.
Yet another name which needs to be utilised more in the Punjabi industry is Neha Pawar who plays the role of young Madam Aulakh. For her part, it wasn’t just the acting part but the confidence with which she played the role. Her transition from a timid wife to a valiant independent woman for the love of her daughters in a short period would surely give you goosebumps. COMMENDABLE!
Gurinder Makna too was a surprise package for us in the film who appeared in bits and pieces but brings a lot of surprises with him leaving everyone wonder….Oh te hun ki hona? Let’s say he was one carrier of all the jittery suspense and climax.
As a matter of fact, besides these, rest of the actors including Kul Sidhu, Rehmat Rattan, Kavya Thakur, Pramod Pathak and others too have done a commendable job for whatever role they were offered to play.
REVIEW:
CAT is an eight-part series of 40-45 minutes per episode. A gripping tale with added spices of crime, brotherhood, espionage, and familial love laced with lots of drama and action. Each episode written by Balwinder Singh Janjua, Rupinder Chahal, Anil Rodhan, Jimmy Singh depends on the previous one. However, at times the story moves to and fro. Let’s say, a suspense created in the third episode would be leashed in the fifth one. The series is not made in a linear narrative where each and every character has a backstory leading to a thrilling climatic sequence.
Since several tracks and sub plots with such huge cast are running simultaneously, at times it might become difficult for one to keep a track of everything like introduction of Madam Aulakh’s elder daughter who suddenly returns from abroad, Punjabi rock star Rocky Ranjha who happens to be her step son and Laadi who too has a backstory. These so many backstories and several sub-plots at one point gets too heavy to handle. Somewhere in the midway, it may become a little slow.
Having said all this, the tight performance by each and every character makes you overlook all these little loopholes and captures the attention in every frame with the right amount of seriousness required. Thus, as a viewer you totally empathise with its characters too. The action sequences are quite convincing and well-executed. Arvind Krishna’s cinematography captured Punjab’s real and rustic feel well.
Many a times, people have had this complaint from Bollywood makers that not enough homework was done on the Punjabi dialect or the culture but here all the nuances were worked upon and kept intact, justifying Netflix’s first Punjabi web-series!
Probably it was the right of choice actors from the Punjabi industry which made it all possible and Kudos to the entire team for creating such an intense drama with interesting plot twists.
If such a genre piques your interest, don’t miss out on this one!
We really wish something of this sort we would really get to see in the Punjabi industry.
