Ajji (2017) User Reviews (314)

A realistic revenge drama

[Ansango · 7/10 · 4 May 2018]

Ajji is among the most realistic and superlative films of independent cinema in 2017. A gritty and authentic take on revenge genre, it has the merit to stand out on its own virtues. An extremely important film with an essential social theme, this movie deserves to be seen by everyone.

PROS.

1. The screenplay of the film is impressive. Although not much things are happening on the screen, yet the film manages to stay intense from the beginning till the very end.

2. Performances of the cast are exquisitely amazing especially that of ajji. She should have won National award for her portrayal of this role. She submerges herself so much in the role that it becomes indistinguishable from reality. Rest of the film is also filled with powerhouse performances. If nothing else, this film can only be watched due to its performances. Easily on of the best acted film of the year...

3.Direction is marvellous. Devashish Makhija manages to capture the raw emotion and intensity of the slums of Mumbai. His use of long shots are commendable, as they let the character to breathe and make a lasting appearance. He also manages to show the various trials and tribulations faced by the people of slum. The atmosphere created by him is incredibly intense and extremely authentic.

4. Cinematography of the film is of top class. It manages to immerse you into the surrounding and helps to intensify the mood of the film. The film is easily among the most genuine portrayal of slum life in recent times.

5. Powerful themes Revenge and justice are the main themes of the film. But other than that it also shades light on various issues like Rape culture, Biased judicial system, struggle between dignity and survival, Impotency of law, Flawed political system, Injustice faced by North Indians in Mumbai, Moral corruption etc...

6. The mannequin scene This scene features during the middle of the film and easily one of the most nightmarish and trippiest scene of all time. This scene acts as an allegory for rape. It is a vile and cringe inducing scenes which also can be interpreted as the metaphor for feminine atrocity. The frequent use of mobile phone's camera during this scene escalates its frightening effect.

7.Background score is minimal yet helps to sharpen the atmosphere of the film. Sometimes the music even conveys what's going inside the mind of the characters. Here music in not just an add-on but is used as an storytelling device, and the payoff is brilliant.

CONS.

1. Slow Pace The film is too slow in its pace and even at just 105 minutes runtime feels a bit long.

2. There are some scenes that defies logic. Like how ajji manages to sneak out every night without getting noticed by anyone? Mother of the victim is shown in no grief even after such a huge happening.

So, all in all an incredibly well made film with passion and love for cinema. It's like a breath of fresh air. If you enjoy commercial cinema then there is nothing much here for you but if you are a true cinema lover do watch it. It's a must watch for everyone!

A movie of rape that will make you hate it beyond limits...!!

[Tejas_Vinda_AITS · 8/10 · 23 September 2018]

It is a very dark movie, as dark as the truth of condition of women and kids in this country, as how every girl child and women is a potential victim in this country.

How big sin it is to be a poor. This movie will shake your every inch with the kind of detailing it does with every scene, making your feel ashamed and angry as an Indian and over the society in which we live.

A 10 year lovely kid is raped and thrown in junkyard. For police it becomes a case to extort money from the influential person while victims are further victimized and terrorized. It is conveyed to them that thinking about living with dignity is foolish for any poor otherwise even most basic things like earnings and bread better too would be difficult.

A truth in a nation where criminals rule and where rape has become a sort cultural activity of Indians. A nation where law enforcement system has become devoid of law and just enforcement system, works on payroll of criminals..this movie compells u to think that you need to go for justice on your own way.

It is your responsibility to ensure anyway that you don't accept such crimes just silently and dead. This movie is grim dark and may distrub you with the kind of detailing it has done of everything...including the psyche of a pervert rapist, a poor father who always feels sorry for failing for his family though poverty is not his mistake and its misery is not his fault..he looses his hand in machine..still he feels sorry that he would compell his family to more hardship.

Such scenes bleed your heart. It even strips naked of the fact that how migrants are easy victims of so called son of soils who do crime without any hitch just coz they are locals. Every scene is sharp and well detailed in short.

Performances: Such movies are performance and content oriented always. Sushma Deshpande has done a terrific job as a revengeful grandma. Sadia is also good. Sudhir Pandey as butcher in short role impresses a lot. The villain's performance is that u start hating him so much that u wish that you could chop him into pieces as if left he could keep on victimizing. I don't know much of the rest but they are equally superb.

Finally, it is a movie of rape that will make you hate it beyond limits...it is needed to be watched by everyone so that even those who r still sleeping in slumber should get a boiling blood and zero tolerance about the menace which has become epidemic for India and where every single girl child is under danger in this perverted society. It is just pity that such movies don't find even screens and distributors and criminals like Salman Khan and his useless movies still enthrall this sleeping society in a dark hall!

Very Dark and Real

[jetkot · 8/10 · 5 June 2018]

The Screenplay is perfect. You are anticipating the ultimate revenge. The practice is shown beautifully. An Old woman plans and executes a perfect revenge. However there were a lot of aspects to this gritting tale. The film makes you cringe on the actions of the characters and leaves you with an impact . It is not for the fainthearted and there are moments that will make your stomach churn and you will really need a lot of patience to watch certain scenes. Well executed.

A Self-Righteous Guide On What To Do With Rapists And How. ♦ Grade C+

[nairtejas · 6/10 · 14 October 2017]

The unconventionality of having a grandmother as the protagonist about crime and revenge is what makes Devashish Makhija's cold thriller a tantalizing watch. Ajji is an ambitious story of an old woman who takes the law into her own hands – cliché in the town – and asks us to wonder about the consequences. You tend to incline to the positive because you want her to win and so do the colorful characters who help her, but what we don't see are the obvious superhero powers that she possesses which you cannot blame on the power of will or circumstances. Sexual molestation of minors is definitely a grave topic and one that must be discussed openly but that doesn't mean you celebrate the idea of self-righteousness especially when related to the matters of justice. Ajji is definitely an engaging watch with clever camera work, mirror placements, wonderful performances, and above all, a magically complementing sunless setting. Everything works except for the enthusiastic plot for a film that is evidently the wheels of this crime drama. An accident is inevitable. TN.

(As part of the Young Film Critics Lab 2017 at the 19th Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival.)

Revenge is the purest form of emotion !!

[madhukar30 · 6/10 · 27 August 2020]

The story of Ajji is an average classic revenge drama, but with some brilliant & authentic elements of film making within it. The movie touches on the delicate subject of child rape and that too from a under privileged family. What makes Ajji to work in its favour is its ability to transfer the pain and suffering of the protagonist into the minds of the audiences. Though the entire premise is heavily cliched, and utterly unbelievable at times, its ability to arose certain curiosity in audiences mind drives the awe factor in Ajji.

Aided with some brilliant camerawork, which sets a dark tone to the movie, Ajji transcends us to a place, where only a few of us would venture. Director Devashish Makhija work is top class to get the horrors of the story into our head, his portrayal of the aftermath of the child rape and the police visit to the victim's home is exceptionally accurate. Screenplay could have been a little better and more believable. Top class acting by Abishek Banerjee as the antagonist will sent shivers down our spine. Yes such people do exist. Ably supported by Smitha Tambe, most of the supporting cast's acting is good. Editing could have been a little better considering the 105 minute length of the movie.

I completely agree that, Ajji has its set of flaws, especially the revenge part and the protagonist's ability to pull of such a thing. Taking law onto ourselves maybe right for people like you and me but what about the poor and the helpless? Can they afford such privileges? When they can hardly afford 3 square meals. This movie is made for audiences who don't have those luxuries in the corrupt world of ours. Though disturbing in many places, Ajji is a must watch for movie buffs to understand certain emotions & reactions in acting.

Riviting independent drama about an important subject

[johnfield-theatreandpupp · 10/10 · 26 March 2018]

I saw this film at the UK Asian Film Festival in London - the lead actress rightly won the best actress award - don't miss this gripping drama - brilliant !

Slow

[mehulchavda-71067 · 6/10 · 6 September 2020]

So slow seriously they should just make a short film out of it why they make full movie

Great Movie.. Dare to do bad again and face this !!

[hXz0r3 · 10/10 · 4 May 2018]

Great Movie. Great Movie. Great Movie..

Nothing else, I have seen what happens with little girls on such shameless acts. I really appreciate the courage shown on the movie.

Great movie. Great movie. Great movie.

Probably, the Most Brutal and Barbarous Revenge Drama Ever Made in Indian Cinema. Bollywood's attempt to match Korean Realism.

[SAMTHEBESTEST · 7/10 · 7 April 2021]

Ajji (2017) : Brief Review -

Probably, the Most Brutal and Barbarous Revenge Drama Ever Made in Indian Cinema. Bollywood's attempt to match Korean Realism. Ajji is that one daring attempt from Bollywood cinema which crosses all the limits of brutality but very honestly. This isn't a film for weak hearted people and even some of the strong fellas might not be able to recover from it. We have seen many films with this same storyline that a teenage or an underage girl is raped by an cruel man and then the girl or someone from her family takes revenge for her. Whatever hard-boiled ideas come in you mind, believe me Ajji brings it on screen and without any compromises. Ajji is Brutally Honest with its concept and it had to remain so unlike some of those Anurag Kashyap or other directors films which uses vulgar content and abusing language without any context. Korean Revenge Dramas are popular on global level because of hard-hitting, flinty and realistic touch which doesn't care about any censorship and adulterous compromises and believe me Ajji is somewhere close to them and possibly Indian Cinema's tallest statue to match that height. I believe, many female audience might hate this film but actually this one is more woman friendly content than men for the sake of importance it gives to the lead character of Ajji. I am saying it again, there is nothing much to tell about the storyline but it is the presentation that you mustn't miss. It will take years for Bollywood to match the realistic proportions of this film and who knows Ajji might get that deserving fame and praise after 50 or 100 years. A grand salute to director Devashish Makhija and Actress Sushama Deshpande for coming up with something unseen like this and moreover giving a full justice to it. I hope this film will scare the Rapists and they will not dare to do or even think of it again.

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Bakwas! Director trying to show off his directorial skills but fails!

[myyyyy1 · 5/10 · 21 May 2019]

Unnecessarily slow movie. Poorly developed plot. The director probably thought that moving the camera painfully slowly and showing still faces will be a way to make a mark as a good director. We had to fast forward through the movie.

What a waste of time!

NOT FOR THE WEAK

[MandalBros-5 · 10/10 · 12 October 2020]

This film perfectly showed us what should be done to a rapist. It is not for the faint hearted as it's very much disturbing. Devashish Makhija & Cinematographer Jishnu Bhattacharjee have done a splendid job.

Performances of all are simply superb. Even the little girl (Sharvani Suryavanshi) acted so brilliantly. Abhishek Banerjee gave one of his career best performance, Vikas Kumar is always underappreciated and of course Sushma Deshpande will blow your mind away.

DON'T MISS THIS ONE.

Very different one !

[nnk-39990 · 6/10 · 29 April 2020]

I had no clue that this movie would be so good , ajji's character was so powerful her performance especially towards end was crazy !!!

Too slow and the content in between is empty as hell

[poisonsword · 2/10 · 16 May 2020]

All you get to see is Ajji sneaks out from home, walking slowly in the dark and observing the bad guy and then walking slowly back home. That's it. Then you can see she is meeting a meat trader to learn how to cut meat despite it is a taboo for her as she is a vegetarian. Like, I don't understand all the purpose of doing all that when in the end, she just disguised as a prostitue and freaking cut the bad guy's private part using a freaking SCISSOR.

Best Movie with best Story and Direction

[amitkray · 9/10 · 11 May 2018]

This movie is about a little girl who is raped by son of a local politician and what follows thereafter is revenge by victim grandmother. The storyline is really good and direction is also superb. Its a small story but conveys a big message. A family that can hardly afford to eat can never fight with the MLA. Only option left to pacify anger and sorrow is to kill him. But the old lady did the right thing by cutting the problem itself and putting chilli powder on it. I want all rapists to be punished the same way. Overall the movie is really good to watch by parents.

A ultimate revenge thriller

[rock_cool · 9/10 · 27 October 2018]

Watch it for the maturity of the Indian cinema, watch it if you want to watch a movie made in India by the someone like Quentin Jerome Tarantino caliber, watch it if you want to taste the real caliber of the Indian Cinema, Watch it if you thick Indian cinema is behind Hollywood by a long margin...... but pls watch it.... more than worth it.

intensify the mood of the film

[subhampal-69640 · 1/10 · 18 August 2021]

Cinematography of the film is of top class. It manages to immerse you into the surrounding and helps to intensify the mood of the film.

Masterful ...

[RosanaBotafogo · 10/10 · 24 November 2021]

A sad and disgusting film, but so real, that it gives one repulsion, an unprecedented disgust, so much that bothers and hurts the mud in one film, rape of a little girl, the performance of the police officer responsible for the investigation, disgusting, he wanting see the victim's private parts, cornering the whole family, the rapist with impunity, the film was of a raw and masterful perfection, everything raw, strong, hurts, hurts, and the end, it doesn't wash the soul, but softens the anger... Masterful ...

Too predictable

[manugw · 5/10 · 18 August 2020]

Fails to provide viewers the allure of mistery they purposely show what is about to happen and it happens. Leaves no message.

best performance

[kumaranuja-14251 · 10/10 · 19 August 2021]

Abhishek Banerjee gave one of his career best performance, Vikas Kumar is always underappreciated.

Awsome story

[chndamondal · 10/10 · 19 August 2021]

Can a frail, arthritic and powerless old woman grapple with the big bad wolf? Is there still hope for justice in a cruel world? Can anything act as a deterrent to rape? Ajji is a parable of our times.

Inspiring movie

[snigdha-32224 · 2/10 · 19 August 2021]

This is the best movie which can be watch to know the reality of rape in india.

Beautiful story

[dy-35211 · 10/10 · 2 October 2021]

One of the best crime against women movie. Best family movie. My all friend watch this movie.

executes

[suraviroy-41680 · 1/10 · 19 August 2021]

An Old woman plans and executes a perfect revenge. However there were a lot of aspects to this gritting tale.

it is grueling to watch

[neerajdas-79274 · 10/10 · 28 October 2021]

It is grueling to watch for the most part. And he partly succeeds in making it an uncomfortable experience, by confronting us with the repulsiveness of this fictitious locality there are moments when he is a little too obvious about what he is trying to achieve.

no filter

[singhchaitnya-88745 · 10/10 · 29 October 2021]

The harsh realities of our society. Unlike various films made on a similar subject, this one has no filter and heads to an eerie conclusion that's debatable but perversely gratifying.