Tulsi - 2008

Story

In the 1980s, the South film industry churned out a slew of socials/family sagas with Jeetendra heading the cast. The target audience was, of course, the families. TULSI follows the same path, but lacks the punch to stay in your memory. Sure, a few portions do make you moist-eyed, but the execution of the subject material being archaic, the glimmer of hope diminishes.

TULSI tells the story of Tulsi [Manisha Koirala], married to a drunkard Suraj [Irrfan]. The couple is blessed with four kids. One evening, while Suraj is away, his friend [Yashpal Sharma] tries to molest Tulsi. When Suraj gets to know of it, he beats Yashpal black and blue.

A furious Yashpal swears revenge. In the meanwhile, Tulsi is diagnosed with blood cancer. Yashpal attacks Suraj and murders him. A distraught Tulsi now decides to get her kids adopted by different families before she's gone.

TULSI has an interesting plot, but the writing is too mediocre. Things have been stretched to such a point that you start feeling restless, in the second hour specifically. Yet, it must be said that the concluding reels are highly emotional.

Direction [K. Ajay Kumar] could've been better. Music [Vinay Tiwari] is appealing, but the non-promotion makes the effort go waste. Cinematography [Ajayan Vincent] is first-rate. The lush-green locales are a visual treat.

Manisha Koirala sinks her teeth in this role and delivers a fine performance. As always, Irrfan is efficient. Yashpal Sharma is getting typecast. Veteran Vikram does a fine job. Kulbhushan Kharbanda is wasted. The film also stars Sadashiv Amrapurkar, Anjana Mumtaz, Tinnu Anand and his wife and Sahil Chadha.

On the whole, TULSI has dim chances. And lack of awareness will go against it!