Ghaath Movie Review : A slow-burn thriller that keeps you hooked

Review: Last year, Chhatrapal Ninawe’s Ghaath had its premiere at the Berlinale in the Panorama section and received acclaim from viewers. The film has had an interesting journey until its theatrical release this week. Equally interesting is its premise.

Set amidst areas with Maoist influence in central India’s jungles, Ghaath intertwines the fates of guerrillas, civilians and cops in a tightly knit screenplay. The film’s story unfolds through three chapters influenced by three elements – zameen (land), jal (water) and jungle. Each chapter has a central character and each character’s story merges with that of the others at some point. Dhananjay Mandaokar, Jitendra Joshi, Milind Shinde, Janardan Kadam and Suruchi Adarkar play pivotal roles in this slow-burn thriller that keeps you engrossed with its intriguing narrative, presented through the stories of a cop, two rebels, a tribal and a civilian. Each of these stories give a perspective of various human emotions but ultimately connect with the common theme of ambush/ betrayal.

The jungle is central to Ghaath’s story, and Ninawe uses the rugged terrain to the story’s advantage. The technical side of Ghaath is strong and that comes across through each scene of the film. The cinematography, the background score, the editing – all hit the right marks. Of special note are the natural performances by all actors. Joshi as Amit Nagpure - a cop, and Shinde as Raghunath Potambi, a rebel leader, are spot-on as they search for an escape plan. Kadam as Perku the tribal unknowingly imparts life lessons and becomes an unforgettable character in the film, while Mandaokar as Falgun channels the feelings of revenge with aplomb. Adarkar has a brief role and performs with sincerity but doesn’t quite hit the mark.

Ghaath jumps between the past and present frequently. While it serves the purpose of the film, it can also be perceived as confusing by viewers. For all its pluses, Ghaath goes off track with the rebel track, ending up packing too much in too little time and not fully exploring the story of Raghunath. The climax feels incomplete too, probably as a result of this as well.

That said, Ghaath is a significant film for many reasons, including its story and technical finesse. It’s not your average entertainer but one that keeps you hooked. If you’re a fan of slow thrillers, this one merits a watch.