Jalsa starts on a shocking note. The trailer thankfully doesn’t give out an important plot point. Hence, be prepared to get a jolt in the first 15 minutes. Sadly, from here on, the film fails to take off. A few scenes are exceptional. However, the long length and slow narrative takes away the impact. Moreover, the reason why the film is named ‘Jalsa’ is laughable. It’s sad that such a nice title has gone waste. Speaking of performances, Vidya Balan, as expected, is in superb form. Shefali Shah adds a lot to the film with her presence. Seeing both these powerhouse performers together is also a saving grace. Rohini Hattangadi is too good in an author-backed role. Surya Kasibhatla (Aayush) is adorable. Kashish Rizwan (Aalia) is decent. Vidhatri Bandi (Rohini George) is a surprise. Mohammad Iqbal Khan (Maya’s boss Aman Malhotra), Shrikant Yadav (More; cop) and Ghanshyam Lalsa (Pradeep; cop) are fair. Manav Kaul is wasted. All in all, Jalsa is a disappointment despite the fabulous performances by Vidya Balan and Shefali Shah.
My rating – ** out of 5!