Fight to the finish

A well-crafted and purposefully made commercial film in modern times is a sure shot case for a sequel. What is surprising is when a sleeper hit of a film manages to bag such a status.

The original ‘Jolly LLB’, released about four years ago, managed to appeal through sheer word-of-mouth publicity among its target audience. Still, it has enabled the ambience for a second version to appear from the same background.

Only that the original star cast of Arshad Warsi and Boman Irani has been replaced by bigger, saleable names like Akshay Kumar, Huma Qureshi and Annu Kapoor. The story too has expanded its footprint into locales as far as Srinagar to suit the milieu of the recent release.

In a revealing tone which highlights the small-town courtroom environment and quirky judges and lawyers, director Subhash Kapoor touches the top gear very quickly.

Jolly LLB, a lackey of a lawyer (Akshay Kumar) in a big legal set-up is a no gooder who cheats his way into setting up his own chamber in the court premises. He pays a heavy price when he is disowned by his strict boss, once his black deed is found out. More troubles are heaped on his guilt-laden conscience when the client whose trust he breaches ends her life.

From here on, the story is an interesting mix of action, crime, subtle family interludes and emotional interactions between a father and son and above all, stays close to the region – UP’s east-central area –which it represents.

How the good-for-nothing, ethically suspect advocate harnesses his strengths, takes on established names in the profession and fights for justice to be delivered to his unfortunate client forms the remaining part of the story.

Demystifying legalese for the common viewer and maintaining the viewing intensity when the film stays rooted in the court rooms is a challenge, which the director has handled with aplomb.

Gently ribbing the pompous, self-righteous attitudes of the legal fraternity, Subhash Kapoor walks the communal tightrope too rather well, when he defuses the Muslim terrorist angle in the plot, in a justified manner.

Convincing performances by Annu Kapoor and Saurabh Shukla facilitates the audience to enjoy the sparring sessions in the court room.

Akshay looks lean and fit, a sharp contrast to the plump Huma, shown as a young mother. Not surprisingly, his athleticism and infectious humour carries the film smoothly till the finish.