Netflix Bulbbul Movie Review – Anushka Sharma offers a feminist take on horror

Run time: 1 Hour 34 minutes

Cast: Tripti Dimri, Paoli Dam, Rahul Bose, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Avinash Tiwary

Director: Anvita Dutt

Rating: 3 Stars

TRIGGER WARNING – Violence, sexual violence

Seems like Anushka Sharma is on a roll after the success of Paatal Lok! Always the one for some unconventional horror, Anushka Sharma has given a feminist twist to the supernatural tale of Bulbbul, produced under her Clean Slate Films.

Charismatic Chudail ki Kahani

Now, you must be thinking ‘Another tale of Ulte Per Wali Daayan?’ How original. Not again. But writer-director Anvita Dutt has taken the typical trope of ‘Witch with inverted feet’ and turned it on its head with Bulbbul!

Set in 1881 Bengal, this period drama unfolds in the lavish house of Thakur Indranil (Rahul Bose), who welcomes home his child-bride Bulbbul (young version played by Ruchi Mahajan). However, the kid Bulbbul only has eyes for Indranil’s younger brother Satya – having found her kindred spirit in him. Coz Age and Dimaag dono match hota hai. 

Adding to the masala, we have Indranil’s twin Mahendra (Rahul Bose again, duh) a mentally challenged guy who is married to the Beautiful but Bitchy Binodini (Paoli Dam). Now Binodini is obviously miffed to address a ‘Child’ as ‘Badi Bahu’ so she’s upto some manipulative malice in this magnificent Manor!

Indranil is pissed by the ‘Soul-mate’ like bond between his wife and his brother Satya, so he sends him packing to London before both of them cross the ‘Devar-Bhabhi’ line. While Bulbbul (Tripti Dimri) who has grown up to be this naive, pretty woman pines away!

Years later when Satya (Avinash Tiwary) returns back (in suit, boot….all westernized!) to the town – He finds that things have …gone to hell. Bulbbul has been abandoned by his brother Indranil but has rightfully assumed her ‘Thakurani’ role in the Haveli, all dressed to play the part. And Bitchy Binodini Ban Gayi Hai Bald Vidwa, with her husband (Indranil’s twin) being murdered in all the gory glory! The town is plagued with mysterious murders, and ohhh…apparently the suspect is a Daayan who is ‘Sitting In a Tree…K-I-L-L-I-N-G!”. She is pretty carefully selective about her victims.

And our Bulbbul has also grown real close to the Town Doctor Sudip (Parambrata Chattopadhyay). Satya be like…Bulbbul Bewafa Hai!

Daayan Vs Devi?

The tale of Bulbbul is told in two timelines…where one shows the ‘witch hunt’ spear-headed by Satya and the other shows the flashbacks where hidden horrors and injustice in the Haveli come to the forefront. Coz, as Bitchy Binodini says… Badi Haveli main Bade Raaz hote hai. Sssshh…Chup rehna! 

Bulbbul doesn’t resort to jump scares apart from the mandatory bare minimum amount. Rather, it utilizes symbolic shots – like focusing on a painting of Ravan slashing off Jatayu’s wings during a gruesome, domestic violence scene. The play of poignant lighting establishes the mood and tone, switching from a sombre blue to ominous red – the colour of lust, revenge, blood. The significant parallels to Kaali Maa get Bonus Points. 

Tripti Dimri is perfectly cast as the enigmatic Bulbbul and gives a layered performance. Rahul Bose is fairly interesting in his double role – balancing the deadly and dumb. Paoli Dam is mesmerizing in her grey avatar. Avinash Tiwary’s performance as Satya gets overshadowed, despite being at the heart of the witch hunt.

Overall, the movie is fairly predictable but the presentation and execution is done well. The languid pacing of the film can be too much for some.

Hit or Miss?

This ‘feminist fable take’ on supernatural myths and superstitions, which explores injustice against women is intriguing enough for a one-time watch! 

Bulbbul is now available for streaming on Netflix.